THE DANGEROUS ALLURE OF THE NO-FLY ZONE

[Baked Potato]

A press conference with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson captivated the world when Daria Kaleniuk, a Ukrainian activist, implored him and other Western leaders to set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine to shelter its people from Russian aircraft. The tragedy of the current situation, the sincerity and sadness of the activist, and prime minister’s delicately worded but practical response — in which he told her that there would not be a no-fly zone due to the risk of a NATO-Russian war — made footage of the press conference go viral.

The internet has since buzzed with the question: Why hasn’t a coalition established a no-fly zone?

Contrary to what so many in the commentariat seem to believe, a no-fly zone is not a military half-measure. It is a combat operation designed to deprive the enemy of its airpower, and it involves direct and sustained fighting. The fact is, a general European war has not started, and we must do everything we can to ensure it does not. That means that a no-fly zone should be off the table.

https://warontherocks.com/2022/03/the-dangerous-allure-of-the-no-fly-zone/

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/war-on-the-rocks/

As the article states, Russia possesses advanced, long range air defense capabilities that can and probably are already positioned outside of Ukraine.

[relayerbob]

1. Add to that, The Ukrainian air defenses have to be coordinated

Or, they might shoot down one or more of our aircraft also.

If any NATO members have S-300 or SA-17 (BUK) missiles or launchers, those would go a long way

[Sneederbunk]

2. About as much allure as sending in NATO troops.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Putin likens sanctions to a 'declaration of war,' says invasion pushback risks future of Ukrainian s

According to Putin, a no-fly zone will be a declaration of war on Russia

Link to tweet

The United States, Britain and others have so far ruled out supporting a no-fly zone, stating that it would be likely to severely escalate the conflict.

But Putin went one step further Saturday, saying that any countries enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be considered “participants in a military conflict.” The Russian president claimed that his country would see “any movement in this direction” as an intervention in its military operations in Ukraine that would “pose a threat to our service members.”

“We’ll instantly view them as participants in a military conflict,” Putin said.