Well, at the very least we would ratchet up tensions and launch a second cold war, at the worst we'd provoke a shooting war with a nuclear power. I think a better question is what on Earth would we have to gain by shooting down a Russian bomber?

All Russia wants is the respect they're due as the second most powerful nuclear nation on the planet. I say we give it to 'em. A little jet fuel is a lot less expensive than a nuclear holocaust.

Well, I'm not surprised they didn't tell you. It took me a minute to google it.

And again in this particular space no airspace was violated, the events takes place above international waters. If it's been said otherwise, then it's the perfect example of sensational journalism. And I'm not sure about other cases you're talking about and too lazy to check them out.

Man you tell me to lay off the Call Of Duty but seriously Russia would never be foolish enough to invade Canada. You mention Nato would not stand behind us, well the U.K certainly would and so would France and the US. You mention the gas but Canada is the most resource laden country on earth. More fresh water then anywhere else on earth, more lumber , one of the largest gas producing countries which Europe could simply start importing from Canada. Canada is also a commonwealth country and one of the U.K most important allies.

Russia would be extremely stupid to start a huge war over the loss of one or two bombers. Example South Korea looses a ship full of Naval troops, an island is pummeled to hell yet they do not fire on North Korea. Why don't they, because they know it is not in their best interest.

As for in this imaginary scenerio where Russia has the balls to invade Canada. The US may support us? The US would have to support us for the very reasons you say that Europe would not. A huge amount of the US electricity comes from Canada, future water supplies...Canada, minerals and metals, Canada. The US relies heavily on Canada for many of their natural resources. Also the US would never allow Russia to occupy a nation on its border.

In the case of Russia invading Canada it would ignite WWIII, Nato and the United States would be at war with Russia. The whole world would collapse on itself and if Nukes began flying it would be the end. Canada is extremely important to Europe and the US even more so. Nobody would dare invade us, Russia heck even the US wouldn't dare invade Canada. On a global scale Canada has as many allies as the US if not more liked globally.

But as I said , Russia would not invade Canada if we shot down a plane. They would send some stern words our way and maybe worst case scenerio close the Canadian Embassy and expell the Canadian Ambassador for a year or two. You need to stop watching so many movies, Russia is not as stupid as you think they are.

Also if you read my initial post shooting down the bombers was just one of three suggestions I made. I used it in the title to get the general idea across that this thread is about standing up to Russia. I also suggested seizing the air craft and arresting the pilots. Much more civil and would probubly send the same message!

I really don't think we want a war against Ivan. I'm betting they have more than a few nukes left over from the Cold War. 

If Russia is flying over Canadian land, there is a high likelihood they are flying over US land (Alaska) too.

Reasons? It depends. I think a lot of those Cold War generals are still in the Russian military and have their views crystallized even now that they run war simulations of invading the US via Alaska down through Canada. Thusforth, they are testing how much Canada will put up even 20 years after the Cold War ended (for them it did not apparently).

If anything, Russia should be more concerned with the Caucasus region to their south. Chechyna has killed more Russian soldiers and civilians via Beslan and other terrorist acts than the US or Canada.

Do you have any reliable link to this news? 'cause really Russian military aircrafts was flying in the international area, totally legal. When they were moving close to National borders of some countries - then country's planes come closer to it. I think its quite a good training for both of the armies. :)

And by the way - don't be afraid of Russians - we are very friendly. ;) And if you'll check some history you'll see that most of the time 'Russian Ivan' just fights back from our nice western friends... :)

I'm not afraid of Russian's nor do I have any anger or hatred towards the people of Russia. Its the Government of Russia which I fear and do not trust. A Government where journalists who opposed Putin mysteriously died. Ex-KGB agents either work for the current government or die from radiation poisoning in Britain. A country where their is democracy but anyone who opposes specific parties mysteriously die or pull out. I am afraid when Putin and such say that the cold war is restarting or how peace keepers invade Goergia and annex a ton of its land.

Thats all I could go into history of how the Soviets treated mennonites etc...etc... but that has nothing to do with modern Russia. Lets just say I don't like your countries Government!

Thats funny... Why should you like or dislike our Government? You should care about your country's Government - and we here in Russia will live with ours... ;)

You don't hear. Because you're being neither told nor educated enough.

Take it easy, there are much better (err... worse) things to call commies down for.

Whoa there. Georgia started that one, invading semi-autonomous territories with the intent of revoking their autonomy, in an effort that they had to have known would lead to them getting their asses kicked by Russia, but it was their choice to start it