Ukraine proposes joint aerial shield as Europe boosts security at summits after drone incursions

Ukraine has offered to build a joint aerial defense shield with its allies to protect against threats from Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday, after a series of airspace incursions that caused alarm on NATO’s eastern flank

Ukraine has offered to build a joint aerial defense shield with its allies to protect against threats from Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday, after a series of airspace incursions that caused alarm on NATO’s eastern flank.

NATO leaders have said that Russia has been testing the alliance’s readiness and resolve with airspace incursions in Poland and the Baltic states, and Kyiv says its experience in dealing with aerial threats would be valuable.

“Ukraine proposes to Poland and all our partners to build a joint, fully reliable shield against Russian aerial threats,” he said in an address to the Warsaw Security Forum delivered via video link.

“This is possible. Ukraine can counter all kinds of Russian drones and missiles and if we act together in the region we will have enough weapons and production capacity.”

Russia unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles on Ukraine overnight into Sunday, killing at least four people, with Kyiv taking the brunt.Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty ImagesFrance, Germany and Sweden meanwhile said they will send military personnel and anti-drone systems to Denmark to boost security at this week’s European summits in Copenhagen, after drone incursions that forced Denmark to shut several airports.