By Matt Underwood Russian warplanes fly into NATO airspace—Czech President says maybe it’s time to shoot them down. It’s becoming increasingly clear that these airspace violations are more than just accidental slip-ups. Considering the frequency with which these incursions are occurring, we’re definitely past the stage of “maybe.” It feels like we’re approaching a point where a firm response is not just warranted, but necessary.
The persistent nature of these violations suggests a deliberate attempt by Russia to test the boundaries of NATO, perhaps even to provoke a wider conflict. Ignoring these breaches, as some suggest, is likely just emboldening them, encouraging further provocations. Putin seems to be pushing the envelope, because right now, there isn’t enough pushback.
The million-dollar question, though, is why? What is the goal here? Putin has already lost so much in Ukraine. Is this about provoking a reaction, trying to determine if Article 5 would be honored? Maybe he thinks he can drive a wedge between the various NATO members. But the reality is, most of Europe and Canada are well-aligned.
The Czech President’s suggestion, “Maybe it’s time to shoot them down,” isn’t as far-fetched as it may seem. The idea of defending our airspace has to be a priority, and we need to ensure that any action is taken decisively. The key is, absolutely, to make sure these aircraft are demonstrably within our territory when action is taken.
The precedent is there. Turkey shot down a Russian plane in 2016, and it didn’t lead to all-out war. It’s true that there would be a global reaction, but what would the consequences of *not* responding be? The conversation, as some say, might be to prepare a strongly worded letter, but that’s not going to deter this behavior. A final warning, followed by action if it happens again, seems like a logical step.
However, there are other options besides a military response. Some have suggested alternative actions, like forcing the planes to land and confiscating them, or even a more dramatic and perhaps symbolic approach, such as painting the jets in vibrant colors. It’s an interesting thought experiment, but the more traditional approach feels most prudent right now.
But if this continues, the only way to get the message across is to show action. We should give the Kremlin a clear warning, and if it happens again, take action. A forceful response sends the strongest possible signal.
There’s a very real risk that Russia wants this to happen. Downing a plane would likely be used by Putin to rally support at home, framing NATO as the aggressor. It’s a high-stakes game, and a lot of people are looking for a response.
The debate about the best course of action is certainly ongoing. Some suggest a measured response, like intercepting and escorting the planes out, and then engaging with the Russian ambassador to demand an apology. The next time it happens, action is needed. But what if the plane is a fighter jet, and there’s a superior local defense available to prevent a tragedy? It would be a good idea to force them to land, and escort the pilots back to the Russian border with courtesy.
It’s understandable why Russia is trying to provoke further war. They’re already struggling in Ukraine. They might be trying to pull resources from Ukraine, or perhaps they’re trying to trigger alliances to join the war. Or, they might be looking for a bigger world conflict.
Right now, NATO seems to be taking a restrained approach, which is probably the right move. Putin wants the planes shot down. What we do next can be the right move, or it could be something that makes the situation worse. But at some point, a line has to be drawn. What is clear is that we cannot simply continue to let these airspace violations happen without a response.