Putin’s F-16 Warning: They Will Be Legitimate Targets Wherever They Are

Russian President Putin issued a warning that F-16 fighter jets provided to Ukraine would become legitimate targets wherever they are if they use the airports of third countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the military aviation training center of the Russian Ministry of Defense in the Tver region. During his visit, Putin chatted with military pilots, stating that the aviation unit of the Russian army performed excellently in the conflicts in Ukraine and contributed to the outcome.

Putin, who himself has flown fighter jets several times and acknowledged the challenging nature of the job of fighter jet pilots, noted that Russian Su-34 bombers, Su-30, and Su-57 new model fighter jets performed very well in the conflict zone.

“We will destroy F-16s just like any other weapons”

Commenting on the plans of Western countries to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian pilots, Putin stated, “This will not change anything in the conflict zone. Just as we destroy tanks, armored vehicles, and other military equipment, we will also destroy (F-16 model) aircraft.”

Putin also pointed out the nuclear weapon carrying capability of F-16 fighter jets, stating that they would take this into account when dealing with these aircraft.