Debate that doesn’t even exist
Putin draws red line of attack for use of F16 fighter jets
March 28, 2024, 12:45 p.m
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Ukraine will soon receive its first US-made fighter jets. Countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark provide several F-16s. Russia is not afraid, says President Putin – but is already preparing for a rather unlikely scenario.
According to President Vladimir Putin, Russia is preparing for Ukraine to soon deploy the first US-made F-16 fighter jets. The Kremlin chief warned of a scenario that is not even under discussion: If the jets attack from military bases in third countries, these bases would become legitimate targets for the Russian army. Putin said this while visiting an air force training center in the town of Torzhok, 260 kilometers from Moscow, Russian agencies reported.
Ukraine lacks modern fighter aircraft to defend against the Russian war of aggression that has been going on for more than two years. That’s why countries like the Netherlands and Denmark will provide F-16s. The training of the Ukrainian pilots is taking place in Romania, among other places. The Ukrainian Air Force should be able to use the aircraft in 2024; but the exact time is unclear.
The Kremlin chief expressed his assessment that the F-16s would not change the military situation. “We will destroy their aircraft just as we destroy their tanks, armored vehicles and technology such as multiple rocket launchers,” he said. However, the F-16 could also potentially carry nuclear weapons. Russia will adapt to this in its military planning, he said. Ukraine has no nuclear weapons. The former Soviet nuclear weapons that were on its territory were handed over to Russia in 1994.
Once again, Putin justified his war of aggression against his neighboring country with the alleged protection of Russians in areas that historically belonged to Russia. He called nonsense fears that Russia might attack Europe. The European governments wanted to scare their populations “in order to get money out of it.” Putin said Russia had “no aggressive intentions towards these states.” “The idea that we will attack any other country – Poland, the Baltic states and the Czechs are also afraid – is complete nonsense.”