Russian politician: F-16 aircraft are viable targets
Coming summer, the initial Western-made fighter jets are anticipated to make their way to Ukraine. Concurrently, the Russian officials have issued a warning: if these F-16s were to be deployed in combats, they'd be considered fair game - just like airbases.
A top Russian parliament member, Andrei Kartapolov who heads the Duma Defense Committee, predicts the consequences of the F-16 jets partaking in assaults against Russian troops. He expressed his concern that these planes would then become legitimate targets for the Russian army, based on RIA's state news report.
Additionally, military airfields lying outside Ukraine will be at risk. The Ukrainian authorities are in talks with Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium to obtain fighter jets made in the United States. The first aircraft could be delivered during the summer season.
As precautionary measures, some of these F-16 jets may be stationed at overseas military bases. This would protect the aircraft from potential Russian attacks, as per Serhiy Holubzov from the Ukrainian Air Force Command.
Commitment to 60+ F-16 Jets
Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have pledged to provide Ukraine with over 60 F-16 combat jets from the US. Soon, Ukrainian pilots are scheduled to undergo training on these aircraft before deliveries commence.
Holubzov discussed the role of these F-16 jets with the US-funded broadcasting channel Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. He explained that the jets could be operated from foreign bases as substitutes for those in dire need of repairs, as well as serving as training grounds for Ukrainian pilots. "It ensures that we always have a proportional aircraft fleet-size to our pilots," he shared. "If there are more pilots, we'll have more aircraft in Ukraine."
Russian president Vladimir Putin has previously hinted at retaliation if NATO countries' military bases were to be employed for Ukraine's benefit. "In such a scenario, these bases may be deemed as legitimate targets," he cautioned in March.
