“but all the same shots have been exchanged on many more than just one occasion and the world didn’t end.”
Cite one.
We’ve had encounters at sea and in the air in international space, but neither side has FIRED on the other.
We’ve also had encounters like the U2 shootdown, but that was an unarmed incursion.
But I would be interested to know about any in which flagged US and Soviet/Russian forces exchanged fire. I don’t believe there are any.