In this essay for TIME, Elliot Ackerman considers how NATO pilots could help defend Ukraine without requiring a formal NATO no-fly zone.
Writing in the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ackerman argues that volunteer pilots could strengthen Ukraine’s air defense while avoiding direct NATO intervention.
Ukraine, NATO, and Air Power
The essay examines Ukraine’s fight to deny Russia air superiority, including the symbolic role of the “Ghost of Kyiv” and the limitations of Ukraine’s existing fighter force.
Volunteer Pilots and Historical Precedent
Ackerman compares the idea to the Flying Tigers, Eagle Squadrons, Lafayette Escadrille, and other examples of foreign volunteer pilots serving before formal entry into war.
An Alternative to a No-Fly Zone
At its center, the piece explores whether “little blue men” flying Ukrainian-marked aircraft could give Ukraine needed air power while reducing the risk of NATO-Russia escalation.