Britain and Europe are strategizing to implement Operation “Sky Shield,” a defense initiative aimed at protecting Ukraine with a coalition of 120 combat aircraft equipped with missile defense systems. This integrated air protection zone (IAPZ) is designed to intercept Russian missiles and drones, focusing on safeguarding critical infrastructure such as Ukraine’s three active nuclear power plants and key cities like Odessa and Lviv, while intentionally excluding the eastern region to avoid direct confrontation with Russia. The plan, which reemerges amidst a significant reduction in U.S. military support for Ukraine, emphasizes a more proactive European defense posture. It was initially developed by former Royal Air Force pilots and military experts in early 2022 but lacked timely implementation. As European military leaders now consider this undertaking critical for achieving greater military, political, and socio-economic stability than deploying 10,000 ground troops, its success hinges on robust international cooperation and the ability to mitigate confrontation risks with Russia. If successfully executed, Operation “Sky Shield” could establish a formidable defensive frontier for both Ukraine and Europe in the ongoing conflict.
