Ukraine needs a new kind of no-fly zone to help its forces

By Lethbridge Herald on March 26, 2022.

Editor:

What on earth could Putin’s purpose be with the invasion and bombardment of Ukraine? 

Apparently, he wants to annex Ukraine as he did with Crimea. Will children love their abusive father more for slapping them in the face day by day? Abuse does not foster love.

Ukraine’s president pleads for a no-fly zone and for weapons to defend themselves. Usually, such a zone protects refugee camps, and it is patrolled by friendly fighter planes. Such a no-fly zone in Ukraine may lead to air battles between NATO and Russia, and may start the third World War, which may include the use of nuclear bombs.

Ukraine needs another kind of no-fly zone. President Zelensky gave the clue: no planes above Ukraine (except Russians), so Ukraine forces can use anti-aircraft defense weapons against them. If other aircraft use Ukrainian airspace, valuable seconds elapse to identify the aircraft as friend or foe. But if only Russian planes or missiles fly over Ukraine, they can shoot them down immediately – akin to the Iron Dome Defense in Israel.

NATO can ask all countries to avoid Ukrainian airspace – without any NATO country patrolling that airspace. It prevents military conflict between NATO and Russia. However, it gives Ukraine better options to use anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapons provided to Ukraine by friendly countries. When Russia loses one MiG after the other, they may reconsider.

With a street fight between two men, bystanders usually look on without interfering. But when a man rapes a woman, most people will jump in to stop the insanity, despite risks for themselves. 

What Putin is doing to women and children in Ukraine amounts to rape and murder. The world cannot just look on passively while Russia commits homicide in Ukraine. How can world leaders live with such a burden on their consciences?

Jacob Van Zyl

Lethbridge