NATO does not plan to shoot down Russian drones over Ukraine
NATO Assistant Secretary General Boris Ruge stated that there is no consensus within the Alliance to shoot down Russian drones and missiles over Ukraine. At the same time, allies continue to support Kyiv, particularly through the delivery of weapons.
Ruge mentioned this in an interview with Lithuanian state broadcaster LRT, responding to questions about the possibility of shooting down Russian drones over Ukraine or Belarus upon crossing the borders of NATO member states. According to him, the goal of the Alliance is to protect the territory and airspace of its members. He noted that there are currently no intentions to conduct operations in Ukraine’s airspace.
Previously, former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg pointed out that the Alliance did not close the airspace over Ukraine in 2022 during Russia’s full-scale invasion, fearing an escalation of the conflict with Moscow. However, NATO member countries, such as Germany, are actively assisting Ukraine in its self-defense by providing air defense systems like the Patriot complexes.
Ruge added that a lot of effort is being made to supply equipment that will help Ukraine defend itself more effectively against Russian air strikes. However, he emphasized that there is currently neither a decision nor a consensus to conduct operations in Ukraine’s airspace.
| Country | Help to Ukraine | Position on operations over Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Supply of Patriot systems | Does not support air operations |
| Other NATO countries | Various military aid | Maintain a defensive position |
