Russia and Ukraine flashpoint

[Dulfite]

SanAndreasX said:

Dulfite said:

No point having a no fly zone if it isn't enforced, and if it is enforced that means we start shooting down Russian jets/bombers and Russia declares war on us.

I don't actually think this would lead to WW3, as I think China wouldn't do anything while waiting to see how Russia handles duking it out with NATO after having struggled so much with one minor nation, but it would be a much bigger war than is currently being waged and lead to a lot more deaths.

But, it could be argued, fighting Russia now over Ukraine could lead to less casualties and devastation than waiting to fight them after appeasing their conquest of former Soviet nations, when they feel powerful enough to try to expand beyond the old boundaries into new territories.

People clamoring for NFZs seem to be under the impression that Putin is just going to say, "Oh, the United States told us we couldn't fly over Ukraine, so we'd better turn around and go home, boys." Or that some magical barrier is going to appear over Ukrainian airspace. 

Yeah, which is illogical. But I also think assuming Putin, or at least some on-field commanders, won't back down at all is illogical. The reality is, the mentality of the Russian soldiers is, based on captured troops, intercepted information, spies within the Kremlin, etc, one of worry and concern, and that's just dealing with Ukraine. If Russians find out they have been given the clear to engage Americans and NATO allies, then I'd imagine we can expect a lot more "throwing the guns down and running away" like the Iraqi army. Especially since they are the ones invading and not defending. The number of Russian AWOLS would skyrocket if Russia goes at it with NATO.