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More than 47,000 people in France have already signed a petition from the Skyshield (“Heavenly Shield”) collective, calling on the French government, the United Kingdom, and other allies to help protect Ukraine’s airspace from Russian missiles and drones, Ukrinform reports.
Supporters can add their names to the appeal on a dedicated website.
“We call on all our countries to officially join the Skyshield coalition and, in particular, on President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to provide their air and logistical resources to defend Ukraine’s airspace,” the petition states.
The text highlights the civilian casualties and widespread destruction caused by Russian strikes on critical infrastructure and residential areas, stressing that these attacks are deliberately terroristic in nature.
According to the authors, protecting Ukraine’s skies requires two key steps:
- Deploying equipment—such as radars and interception systems—directly inside Ukraine, and
- Organizing air patrols with aircraft based in neighboring countries such as Poland and Romania.
“These forces will remain far from the frontline, with no direct contact with Russian air forces. Their role will be strictly limited to intercepting missiles and drones aimed at civilians in the rear,” the petition emphasizes.
Refusing such support, the authors argue, would mean abandoning moral, political, and democratic responsibility toward Ukraine.
“Failing to conquer Ukraine militarily, Russia is trying to break the Ukrainian nation’s spirit. If we implement the Skyshield project, Putin will see that this second goal is also unattainable. That will bring us closer to a ceasefire and, ultimately, to peace,” the appeal concludes.
The initiative was launched by Member of Parliament Frédéric Petit, Philippe Moreau-Chevrolet, a professor at Sciences Po University, and Xavier Tytelmann, an aviation expert. Among the first signatories are at least six retired French generals, several vice admirals of the French Navy, and former NATO and EU military chiefs, along with lawmakers from various political parties and civil society leaders from France, the UK, and across Europe.
As reported, Poland’s government has asked its NATO allies for additional air-defense systems to strengthen protection against Russian drones.
