European countries are actively considering the idea of creating a special military-air mission called the "Air Cosh", which would protect the Ukrainian sky from Russian missiles and drones without formal NATO involvement. It is about the deployment of 120 fighters of the European Union countries that would patrol the airspace over Kiev and the western regions of Ukraine. The main goal is to protect the civilian population, critical infrastructure and avoid new destruction of civilian objects.
The idea of creating an "air shield" is not new, but has received a new momentum after recent statements of European officials and the publication of relevant documents. According to European military experts, such a step would allow to ensure the safety of cities and critical infrastructure, which regularly become the goals of Russian attacks. It is interesting that the special document presented to the European Ministries of Defense emphasizes that this format of support will have a greater military and political effect than the deployment of even 10,000 European soldiers on Ukrainian soil.
However, there is still a key obstacle to the implementation of this idea that a possible direct contact with Russia remains. That is why the patrol area is planned only over Kiev, the western regions of Ukraine and the front line. European officials are convinced that this will reduce the risks of incidents and escalation of conflict. On the other hand, Moscow has repeatedly stated that any involvement of Western military aircraft in the Ukrainian sky would be regarded as a direct participation in Europe in the war.
Proponents of the initiative are convinced that it is time to act right now. According to them, fighters will be able to counteract Russian attacks effectively, and the risk to pilots will be minimal. At the same time, at the EU political leadership, the decision has not yet been adopted and its prospects will be actively discussed in the near future, including at the EU summit this week.
Thus, the idea of the "air shield" is at the same time attractive and complex: on the one hand, it is able to radically strengthen Ukraine's defense capability and protect the civilian population, and on the other - threatens the risk of further escalation with the Kremlin. Whether Europe is ready for such a step, it will be clear in the near future.
