Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that the F-16 fighters provided to Kiev could fly from NATO airfields
Russia will not hesitate to destroy US-made F-16 jets sent to Kiev even if they operate from bases outside Ukraine, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.
Speaking at a regular briefing on Wednesday, Zakharova warned that Russia was aware that the West would soon provide Ukraine with advanced fighters, the first delivery of which is expected next year.
However, the spokeswoman pointed out that “a significant part of Ukraine’s airfield infrastructure has been destroyed, and those American fighters may be operating from airfields outside the country,” including in Poland, Slovakia and Romania.
The Russian Armed Forces will consider fighters participating in the conflict on the side of the Ukrainian military as legitimate targets to be destroyed.
Zakharova further added that the upcoming F-16 deliveries lead NATO to “become even more mired in the Ukraine conflict,” adding that by sending arms to Kiev the US-led military bloc is in fact “waging a hybrid war [against Russia] under the guise of saving Ukraine.”
Ukraine has long requested advanced jets from the West, arguing that they would be crucial in countering Russian air superiority. In May, after months of hesitation, the UK and the Netherlands announced “an international coalition” to help Kiev procure F-16s.
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