The Kremlin has issued a warning that it is prepared to target NATO airfields hosting F-16 fighter jets intended for Ukraine.
This comes as Ukraine is set to receive the advanced warplanes from Western allies, with Denmark and the Netherlands leading the efforts.
Andrei Kartapolov, the head of the defense committee in the Russian parliament’s lower house, stated on Monday that any NATO bases from which Ukrainian F-16s launch attacks on Russia would be considered “legitimate targets.”
“If they take off from the airfields of some country, enter Ukrainian airspace, launch missiles and return there, then this is a legitimate goal,” Kartapolov asserted. “As for shooting down, we can shoot down anyone, anywhere.”
This announcement follows a senior Ukrainian military officer’s comments that some of the F-16 jets may be stationed outside Ukraine to avoid being targeted by Russian strikes. Serhii Holubtsov, head of aviation for Ukraine’s air force, emphasized the importance of keeping a portion of the fleet secure to maintain operational capabilities.
The integration of F-16s into Ukraine’s air force poses logistical challenges, including the need for well-maintained runways and reinforced hangars. Frank Ledwidge, a senior lecturer in law and war studies at Portsmouth University, noted that these jets would likely become prime targets for Russian defenses.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously warned in late March that any Western airbases involved in operations against Russia would be deemed legitimate targets. This rhetoric has heightened concerns about a potential direct conflict between NATO and Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The delivery of F-16s to Ukraine is anticipated to enhance the country’s aerial capabilities significantly. However, the possibility of these jets being used in combat operations against Russia has led to increased tensions and threats from the Kremlin.
