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.

A defence strategy called Operation Sky Shield is underway involving fighter jets from the European air force and the RAF. This operation aims to establish an Integrated Air Protection Zone (IAPZ).

F-22 Raptor fighter jet in flight over clouds.
Europe could deploy fighter jets to protect Ukraine against Putin’s missilesCredit: Reuters
Firefighters at the site of houses destroyed by an air strike in Slatyne, Ukraine.
Russian missiles continue to pound Ukraine, leaving devastation like this scene on Thursday morningCredit: Reuters
Illustration of Europe's plan to defend Ukraine's airspace using 120 fighter jets.

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

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

The IAPZ will be responsible for safeguarding Ukraine’s three functioning nuclear power plants and crucial infrastructure in the western region, which includes important cities like Odesa and Lviv.

However, the eastern part of Ukraine will not fall within the coverage of the Integrated Air Protection Zone. This decision is influenced by the concern of a direct conflict between Western forces and Russia, which could have catastrophic global consequences.

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.

Armed Ukrainian sea drones battle Russian helicopters, fighter jet & ships in Putin bridge attack

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.

President Donald Trump at a press conference.
Trump has withdrawn military backing and stopped sharing intelligence with UkraineCredit: AP
Volodymyr Zelensky walking in an EU headquarters corridor.
Zelensky hopes to get Trump back on side, but in the meantime must turn increasingly to Europe for helpCredit: EPA

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.

Vladimir Putin at a meeting, reviewing documents.
Putin is undoubtedly delighted by the US’s shunning of UkraineCredit: EPA
Romanian army tank firing during NATO exercise.
As fighting continues in Ukraine and the US withdraws military aid, European nations are having to step up and plug the gapCredit: AFP

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.” 

Pie chart showing war aid to Ukraine: Europe 49.5%, US 42.7%, other countries 7.8%; total $258.4 billion.

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.

Key European weapons still at Ukraine’s disposal

DESPITE the recent suspension of US military aid, Ukraine continues to receive substantial support from European nations, ensuring a steady flow of weaponry and equipment to bolster its defense capabilities.

Here are some of the main contributions made per country:

United Kingdom:

  • 5,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM)

Germany:

  • Leopard 1A5 and Leopard 2A4 tanks
  • PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers

France:

  • Caesar 8×8 self-propelled artillery units

Netherlands:

  • YPR-765 armored personnel carriers
  • Leopard 1A5 tanks

Denmark:

  • Leopard 1A5 tanks
  • M113G3DK/G4DK armored personnel carriers

Finland:

  • Sisu XA-185 armored personnel carriers 
  • 122 PSH 74 (2S1 Gvozdika) self-propelled artillery units

Estonia:

  • 122mm D-30 and 155mm FH-70 howitzers
  • Alvis 4 protected mobility vehicles
  • MAN KAT1 6×6 trucks

Belgium:

  • M113 armored personnel carriers
  • Belgium has pledged 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028 + training for Ukrainian pilots

Norway:

  • ShKH Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers

Sweden:

  • Combat Vehicle 90 infantry fighting vehicles

Poland:

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