Putin warns F-16 fighter jets will be legitimate target if used against Russian forces

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has warned Western countries that US F-16 fighter jets supplied to Ukraine will be a legitimate target if they are used against Russian troops from airfields in thirds countries.

In a meeting with military pilots in the Tver Region on Wednesday, Putin made it clear that any attempt to use F-16s against Russian troops from airfields in neighboring countries will not go unanswered, "no matter where they might be."

"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," Tass quoted Putin as saying.

The Russian president added that “we will destroy these planes just as we have destroyed tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment, including multiple launch rocket systems.”

He noted that the F-16 fighters had the capability to carry nuclear weapons which is an important factor to be considered while planning combat operations.

Putin's remarks followed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's comments in the day, who said that the aircraft is expected to arrive in Ukraine in the upcoming months.

Putin warns West of nuclear war risk over troops in Ukraine

The Russian president said Western leaders may not be aware of the scale of danger in their provocative actions.

Ukraine, engaged in a relentless conflict with Russia for over two years, has lost much of its air force, including  the Soviet-era jets donated by several NATO members as replacements, and has consistently pursued the acquisition of F-16s from the US-led bloc.

Several countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, have stepped forward to offer their support by donating F-16s. Additionally, a coalition of countries has pledged to assist in training Ukrainian pilots to effectively operate the advanced aircraft.

US President Joe Biden has endorsed a number of training programs for Ukrainian pilots regarding the F-16 but no time frame for the supply of the warplanes has been declared yet.

The Pentagon said in late September that the training of Ukrainian pilots had already begun in Denmark.

Biden's administration has unveiled a fresh aid package worth up to $300 million for Ukraine, after facing a financial shortfall in providing weapons to the country.

EU countries agree to provide Ukraine with €5 billion military aid

European Union member states have agreed to provide Ukraine with an additional 5 billion Euros ($5.5 billion) in military aid.

Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said his country has lost ground in recent months due to an “artificial shortage” of weapons and urged allies to send arms to Kiev.

Meanwhile, early this month European Union member states also agreed to allocate an additional 5 billion Euros ($5.5 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, as a new component to an EU-run assistance fund.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had already warned that Western countries willing to give Ukraine US-made F-16 fighter jets are “playing with fire,” describing the move as an “unacceptable escalation” of the persisting conflict.

In his remarks, Lavrov also said that given the current tensions between Russia and the West, the danger of World War III is "real" and blamed the US-led NATO forces for engaging in a proxy war against Russia through Kiev.

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