NATO should take control over parts of Ukraine’s airspace to strengthen the security of its member states, said military expert and independent MP Igors Rajevs this morning on LTV’s “Rīta panorāma”, commenting on the recent incursion of Russian drones into Poland.
Rajevs suggested that the West could control airspace 100–150 kilometres inside Ukraine from NATO borders, which would allow NATO to intercept or neutralise airborne threats heading towards alliance territory.
“Russia keeps pushing us, while we remain silent. We must start pushing them back. We must show that we have teeth too,” the former military officer stated.
According to Rajevs, such a step would also provide a controlled way to test Russia’s reaction limits. He believes that
Russia could not object if NATO forces, from their own territory, shoot down objects in Ukraine’s airspace.
Rajevs explained that this move would first shift NATO’s threat boundaries 150 kilometres further east, and could later open the door to more extensive support for Ukraine: “There’s a term — escalate to de-escalate,” he noted.
The MP also pointed out that Russia is producing drones in increasing numbers, and in the future could launch up to 1,000 drones per day against Ukraine. So far, the largest strikes have involved about half that number of drones.
Rajevs stressed that Russia has resumed attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and that a massive strike would be devastating, as it would be impossible to protect everything at once.
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