Every night, waves of hundreds of Russian-made drones and missiles kill Ukrainian civilians. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, more than 40,000 long-range missiles or drones have struck the country.

According to the latest data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 13,883 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 35,548 injured — and this only considers the liberated territories. 

Since the Trump – Putin meeting in Alaska, Russian strikes have only grown in intensity. Hundreds gave been killed and on the 28th of August alone, a massive attack which killed over 25 civilians including 4 children.

93% of the missiles strikes deliberately target civilian infrastructure: 2,200 attacks against healthcare facilities, more than 3,800 schools hit, at least 600 cultural sites and 300 churches targeted, the electrical grid and district heating systems deliberately struck during winter, water distribution pumps attacked, supermarkets and hotels destroyed… The Russians aim to make normal life in Ukraine impossible by deliberately striking illegitimate targets.

As Ukrainian families suffer, die, and plead for our help, Europe and the world cannot stand idle. We therefore call on our governments to implement the “Skyshield” initiative, supported by elected officials, former Generals and Admirals, experts and ordinary people from across France, the United Kingdom and Europe, coming from all sides of the political spectrum. 

Why SkyShield?

The defence of Ukraine’s sky must involve two facets :

• The deployment of equipment directly in Ukraine, including radars and interception systems ;
• The organisation of aerial patrols by aircraft based in neighbouring countries such as Poland or Romania

These forces would remain far from the frontline, avoiding any direct confrontation with Russian aviation. Their role would be limited to intercepting missiles and drones targeting civilians in the rear areas.

Beyond the moral duty to support a suffering people, this operation would contribute to a real and lasting peace. Since Russia has failed to conquer Ukraine militarily, it seeks instead to achieve the moral collapse of Ukrainian civil society. By implementing SkyShield, Putin will realize that this second objective is equally unattainable, thereby bringing us closer to a ceasefire and, ultimately, peace.

Our militaries have already intercepted Houthi drones targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and Iranian missiles launched at Israel. It is time to apply the same resolve to protect a European territory — a country to which was provided security guarantees through the Budapest memorandum in 1994 — and a population expecting peace and integration into the European family.

By supporting SkyShield, our nations will reaffirm their sovereignty, they will embrace their historical mission to protect a European country being massacred in the name of imperialism, and they will rise to the importance of this challenge, in this crucial moment for the security of our entire continent.

Abandoning the Ukrainian people would mean giving up our moral, political, military, and democratic responsibilities.

We call on all our countries to formally join the SkyShield coalition, and in particular President Emmanuel Macron, Prime minister Keir Starmer, and Prime minister Donald Tusk committing their air and logistical resources to help protect Ukraine’s airspace.

Let us rise to the challenge.
Support Skyshield!

— Collectif Skyshield France

Initial signatories and spokespeople:

Frédéric PETIT, Member of Parliament
Philippe MOREAU-CHEVROLET, professor of communications at Sciences Po Paris
Xavier TYTELMAN, aeronautical expert and former military officer