Sky Shield, a European-led proposal, aims to establish an air protection zone designed to prevent Russian cruise missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and essential infrastructure. Developed by former Royal Air Force planners in collaboration with Ukraine's armed forces, the plan seeks to bolster Ukraine's security without involving NATO directly, thereby minimizing the risk of escalating tensions with Russia.
The Sky Shield initiative centers on safeguarding critical locations, including Ukraine's three operational nuclear power plants and the cities of Odesa and Lviv. However, it strategically excludes coverage of the frontline and eastern regions of the country. This exclusion aims to mitigate direct confrontation and reduce operational risks.
The ambitious plan proposes deploying a formidable European air force comprising 120 fighter jets dedicated to securing Ukrainian skies from Russian aggression. Proponents argue that Sky Shield could yield more significant military, political, and socioeconomic benefits than deploying 10,000 European ground troops. Moreover, the risk to pilots participating in the initiative is deemed low, provided they maintain a distance of over 200 kilometers from Russian territory.
The Sky Shield proposal has been presented to European defense ministries for consideration and has garnered support from prominent figures, including former US Air Force General Philip Breedlove, former British Army General Sir Richard Shirreff, and former Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski. The plan gained renewed momentum following a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.
Ukraine's current air defense capabilities face significant challenges. The nation has fewer missiles compared to Russia and relies on US Atacms and Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles for counterattacks. In the past week alone, Russia launched 181 drones and four missiles targeting Ukraine. Furthermore, Ukraine's air defense systems are burdened by supply constraints, with certain systems like the Patriot interceptors being manufactured in the US and subject to resupply restrictions imposed by the White House.
The recent halt in US military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv has accelerated Europe's recognition of its vital role in supporting Ukraine's security efforts. In this context, Gabrielius Landsbergis, a former Lithuanian foreign minister, emphasized:
"The implementation of Sky Shield would be an important component of Europe’s stepping up, guaranteeing Ukraine’s security effectively and efficiently." – Gabrielius Landsbergis