Over the past 72 hours, Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland has witnessed a significant surge in military air traffic, with at least ten aircraft from NATO member states arriving at the strategic hub. Aviation observers reported landings by cargo planes from Belgium, Canada, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom, accompanied by two aerial refueling tankers enhancing operational range capabilities.
This heightened activity occurs at what has become NATO’s primary logistical gateway for military assistance to Ukraine. The alliance is concurrently developing a complementary facility in Romania, representing a strategic shift toward diversifying supply routes and enhancing security for weapon transfers.
Regional defense analysts interpret this aerial mobilization as potentially signaling either accelerated preparation timelines or the initiation of a new phase in military support operations. This development follows intensified Russian strikes targeting critical infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region, which have placed considerable pressure on traditional ground supply corridors.
While air transport presents operational challenges including higher costs and reduced cargo capacity compared to land alternatives, NATO appears to be prioritizing reliability and security. The increased aerial activity suggests a deliberate strategy to maintain uninterrupted materiel flow despite vulnerabilities in terrestrial routes, ensuring sustained support to Ukrainian forces amid evolving battlefield conditions.