I don’t understand the no fly zone issue

[Mouldyfeet]

Was wondering if someone could explain the issue of the ‘no fly zone’ being implemented over the Ukraine. I assumed this was already in place from pictures I’ve seen.
Why would this be consider war?
I know I’m being a bit thick here.

If a nato country shoots down a russian jet, Russia would retaliate on that country, bringing Nato into the war.
So it isn't the 'no fly zone' it is Nato enforcing it that's the problem.

Oh I see, think that’s where I’ve got confused. Thank you.

Just saying “don’t fly over Ukraine” means precisely nothing. NATO would have to be prepared to shoot down a lot of Russian planes which understandably would be taken by the Russians as them/us entering the war and would make NATO countries legitimate targets.

If a “no fly zone” is put in place and Russia keeps flying (which they will), NATO will have no choice but to enforce it and shoot a Russian plane down. That’s direct aggression between Russia and NATO ie WWIII. WWIII could lead to nuclear weapon use so no one wants to risk it. I hope that makes sense.

I heard a what seemed to be a good idea on radio yesterday, which was to set up a no-fly zone in the name of United Nations, not NATO.

@GameofPhones

I heard a what seemed to be a good idea on radio yesterday, which was to set up a no-fly zone in the name of United Nations, not NATO.

Russia is part of the UN so would clearly veto this.

I’m assuming that the Ukraines can set a no fly zone then and shoot them down? Or do they not have weapons for this?

I’m ex armed forces and should know this stuff but I’m blaming my menopausal brain for struggling with it.

@Mouldyfeet

I’m assuming that the Ukraines can set a no fly zone then and shoot them down? Or do they not have weapons for this?

I’m ex armed forces and should know this stuff but I’m blaming my menopausal brain for struggling with it.

Thats called defending your own air space.

In theory no fly zones apply to both sides of the conflicts. The air becomes a no-mans land, with only those who are enforcing the NFZ entitled to enter it.

So helos carrying landing troops or supplies would also be excluded along with bomber capable planes

Also, if you are going to have a no-fly zone, you need to destroy air defences that could shoot the enforcement patrols out of the sky. That would mean finding and destroying Russian anti-air sites. That can now be done by drones, rather than risking airframes, but the Russians would still see it as a NATO attack on them.

There is of course no reason why NATO training assistance to Ukrainian forces could not include how to find and destroy hostile anti-air sites, so that their own warplanes (though they don't have many) can continue to operate at a tolerable threat level.

Oh okay. Thank you so much. I’ve got it now. Shit situation, feels like we are just waiting for him to enter a NATO country.
The Ukrainians are remarkable in the way they are handling this.

A no fly zone would also stop Ukraine flying in it's own airspace, as I understand it.