UK & Europe could launch ‘Operation Sky Shield’ in Ukraine with 120 fighter jets patrolling airspace to fend off Putin

EUROPE and the UK could deploy a fleet of 120 fighter jets to fend off Russian missiles and protect Ukraine’s airspace against Vladimir Putin.

The defence plan, known as Operation Sky Shield, will see fighter jets from the European air force and the RAF form what is being called Integrated Air Protection Zone (IAPZ).

Reuters

Europe could deploy fighter jets to protect Ukraine against Putin’s missiles[/caption]

Reuters

Russian missiles continue to pound Ukraine, leaving devastation like this scene on Thursday morning[/caption]

The operation will be led by top pilots from the continent – and will function separately from the Nato.

And the objective will be to counter Russian aggression on Ukraine, including cruise missile strikes and drone attacks.

The Integrated Air Protection Zone would cover Ukraine’s three operating nuclear power plants and critical infrastructure in the country’s western flank – including cities of Odesa and Lviv.

It would, however, not be covering the eastern part of the country due to fears of a direct Western confrontation with Russia – an act that will plunge the world into chaos.

Defence chiefs and military strategists suggest that the plan could “achieve greater military, political, and socioeconomic impact than 10,000 European ground troops”, The Guardian reports.

The plan was first drafted at the beginning of the war in 2022 by former RAF pilots and military experts in collaboration with Ukraine.

But it never received the green light.

As the US increasingly ditches its support for Ukraine – and by extension, Europe – plans to revive the Operation Sky Shield are being floated again.

The European effort comes after Ukraine’s war chest took a massive hit following Trump and Zelensky’s historic Oval Office showdown.

A furious Trump cut off the US supply of billions of dollars’ worth of battle tanks, long-range missiles, and air defense systems to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s military is now facing one of its biggest challenges since the start of the war: fighting without the full backing of the United States.

To add to the trouble, the US also stopped sharing military intelligence – something that helped Ukraine massively to not only thwart Russian attacks but launch its own strikes inside Russia.

Washington also revoked the “Rel UKR” classification – which previously allowed Britain to pass on US-made intelligence to Ukraine.

As a result, the US-made HIMARS and British Storm Shadows have now become more or less defunct – leaving Ukrainians with scarce defence systems.

AP

Trump has withdrawn military backing and stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine[/caption]

EPA

Zelensky hopes to get Trump back on side, but in the meantime must turn increasingly to Europe for help[/caption]

If given a green light, Operation Sky Shield could turn out to be a major line of defence for Ukraine – and Europe in a long-term war context.

The only concern western leaders have is that western fighter jets could directly come in contact with the Russians – which could escalate the war and involve Nato countries.

However, backers of the scheme argue that the “risk is low”.

Russia has been blitzing Ukraine with massive overnight strikes, targeting civilian infrastructure and residential buildings.

CAN EUROPE FILL THE GAP?

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the US has spent $300–$350 billion on Ukraine aid — far more than Europe.

But fact-checks suggest this is wildly exaggerated.

The Kiel Institute, which tracks global Ukraine aid, says the real US spending is $119.7 billion — far below Trump’s claim.

Even the widest possible estimate of US spending, including training and replenishment of stockpiles, reaches only $182.8 billion.

Meanwhile, Europe has actually provided more aid than the US.

According to the Kiel Institute, from January 2022 to December 2024, Europe spent $138.7 billion on Ukraine—outpacing the US total of $119.7 billion.

The UK remains Ukraine’s third-biggest backer behind the US and Germany, with its latest package being a $2.8 billion (£2.26 billion) loan signed on March 1.

EPA

Putin is undoubtedly delighted by the US’s shunning of Ukraine[/caption]

AFP

As fighting continues in Ukraine and the US withdraws military aid, European nations are having to step up and plug the gap[/caption]

Earlier today, France’s defence minister confirmed that his country was continuing to provide Ukraine with military intelligence.

President Emmanuel Macron said that France is ready to deploy a “nuclear shield” to help protect Europe from any looming Russian threats.

But the big question now is: if the US stops its support entirely, can Europe step up fast enough to keep Ukraine in the fight?

Former British Army officer Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told The Sun: “The European NATO countries, militarily, on their own, vastly overmatched the Russians.

“And we need to flex that muscle rather than sort of hold back, because in this type of conflict, you’ve got to go all in.”

Dr Bence Nemeth, of the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London, added: “Without the United States as a steadfast ally, Europe faces a turbulent security environment where dangers can originate not only from Russia but also from the missteps of Western policies themselves.

“Yet there is also an upside. When longtime alliances shift, we cannot assume conflict is inevitable.

“Instead, such disruptions can create space for dialogue and new partnerships.

“It is a complex challenge but also an opportunity to reshape the rules of engagement for the 21st century in ways that might ultimately serve all parties better.” 

For now, Ukraine’s troops remain on the battlefield, but their future arsenal is uncertain.

The European offer of “boots on the ground” after a potential peace deal has reassured Kyiv, but Trump’s pressure campaign is forcing Ukraine into a dangerous corner.

Will Europe rally to keep Ukraine armed? Will Zelensky be forced into negotiations with Russia? Or will Ukraine find itself increasingly isolated?

With Trump holding the keys to Ukraine’s most powerful weapons, the next steps could determine the fate of the war.