Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the United Kingdom should shoot down Russian military jets if they enter Nato airspace, commenting in an interview that “gotta shoot them down” when asked how he would respond to incursions.
Bloomberg

Mr Farage made the remark during media interviews on 16–17 October 2025 as he sought to set out a tougher line on Russia and national defence.
Bloomberg
His comments formed part of a broader discussion in which he described Vladimir Putin as “a very bad dude” and said he supported using frozen Russian assets to assist Ukraine.
The Independent
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The suggestion to use lethal force against aircraft that enter Nato airspace will be contentious because Nato members follow agreed rules of engagement and consult one another before taking actions that could escalate into direct military confrontation. Recent diplomatic and military discussions within the alliance have focused on how best to respond to airspace violations while avoiding unintended escalation.
The Times

Analysts said Mr Farage’s phraseology was deliberately blunt and aimed at reassuring voters concerned about national security. Supporters argue that a clear and forceful stance deters repeated airspace incursions and that states should be ready to defend their territory. Critics responded that rhetoric of this kind risks inflaming tensions and could complicate allied coordination in crisis situations.
Telegraph
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Legal and military experts note that shooting down any aircraft is governed by strict national and international rules. Decisions to engage a military aircraft typically require confirmation that the aircraft poses an imminent threat or has repeatedly violated sovereign airspace despite warnings. In many cases, political and military authorities aim to resolve incidents through intercepts, escorting, or diplomatic protest rather than immediate use of force.
The Times

The comments come amid heightened attention to airspace security in parts of Europe, where Nato members have reported incursions and close encounters involving Russian aircraft in recent years. Alliance officials have been reviewing procedures for detection, identification and response, while also weighing the risks of escalation in crises that involve two nuclear-armed states.
New York Post
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Mr Farage’s statement is likely to prompt debate in Westminster about the appropriate balance between firm deterrence and careful, collective Nato decision-making. Political opponents have already questioned whether such rhetoric is helpful to national security policy and whether it reflects the practical constraints on a British government acting alone.
Telegraph

This report is based on public statements and media accounts. Where possible, direct quotes and reporting dates are drawn from published interviews and news coverage.