British transport aircraft continue to operate regular flights between RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland, sustaining the vital air bridge that enables the delivery of weapons and equipment to Ukraine.
The first of these supply flights took off even before Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, and they have continued without interruption ever since. While flights initially landed in Ukrainian territory, deliveries are now routed through Poland, roughly 70 kilometres from the border, where cargo is transferred by road or rail to Ukrainian forces.
At the time of writing, one RAF aircraft was on approach to Rzeszów, part of the steady stream of British transport missions that have supported Ukraine’s defence for nearly three years.
Rzeszów has become NATO’s key logistics hub for military assistance, offering the infrastructure needed to handle heavy cargo aircraft such as the RAF’s A400M Atlas and C-17 Globemaster. This route allows the UK and its allies to maintain secure, efficient supply lines within NATO airspace while avoiding direct overflights of Ukraine.
UK military assistance to Ukraine has been extensive and sustained. Since 2022, London has pledged £21.8 billion in total support, including £13.06 billion in military funding. About £10.8 billion of this has been provided as gifted military aid, including Challenger 2 tanks, Storm Shadow long-range missiles, air defence systems, and precision artillery.
The UK has also trained over 58,000 Ukrainian personnel through Operation Interflex, a multinational effort that continues to expand, with training for pilots and marines included in recent phases. Financial and industrial assistance has complemented these efforts, with British defence companies and government funds contributing to Ukraine’s rearmament and reconstruction.
These missions represent a continuous logistical link underpinning the flow of Western support that keeps Ukraine’s armed forces equipped, trained, and able to resist Russian aggression.
Photo by Ronnie Macdonald [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.
What an awesome photo