Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing military pilots on Wednesday, conveyed that even if Western countries supply Ukraine with F-16 fighters, it would not significantly change the battlefield dynamics, as quoted by Russian news agencies. However, he emphasized that these aircraft possess the capacity to carry nuclear weapons, which Moscow must consider in its military strategies.
According to Tass, Putin stated during a gathering northwest of Moscow, “If they supply F-16s, and they are talking about this and are apparently training pilots, this will not change the situation on the battlefield.” He added, “And we will destroy the aircraft just as we destroy today tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers.”
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Highlighting the potential nuclear threat, Putin underscored, “The F-16s … can carry nuclear weapons and we also must consider that in the way we organize matters.” He made it clear that these aircraft would be considered legitimate targets regardless of their location. “Of course, if they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located,” he emphasized.
Putin’s remarks come in response to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s earlier comments, suggesting that F-16s should arrive in Ukraine in the coming months. Ukraine, locked in a conflict with Russia for over two years, has been pursuing the acquisition of F-16s for some time. Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands are among the countries that have pledged to donate F-16s, with a coalition promising to aid in training Ukrainian pilots for their operation.
