European Sky Shield for Ukraine

European Sky Shield for Ukraine is a proposed European-led air protection strategy designed to defend western and central Ukraine from Russian missile and drone attacks during Russian invasion of Ukraine. Known formally as SkyShield, the plan envisions an Integrated Air Protection Zone (IAPZ) operated by a coalition of willing NATO member states, but independent of formal NATO command. The mission would involve combat air patrols (CAPs) flown by up to 120 European fighter jets over uncontested Ukrainian territory, coordinated with the Ukrainian Air Force (UAF).

SkyShield aims to protect critical infrastructure, including Ukraine’s operational nuclear power plants, major cities like Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa, and vital economic corridors. The plan would not include operations in eastern parts of Ukraine. The plan is not directly related to the similarly named European Sky Shield Initiative, although defence analyst Stuart Crawford has drawn a connection between the two.

Supporters of the plan include former NATO commanders General Philip Breedlove and General Sir Richard Shirreff, as well as former Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski. Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis described the initiative as "an important component of Europe’s stepping up, guaranteeing Ukraine’s security effectively and efficiently."

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.