Ukraine is set to receive a fleet of F-16 fighter jets and Russia has warned that this could tip the war into a nuclear conflict as they have accused NATO members of “purposeful provocation.”
The Kremlin has criticised “NATO” for provoking Russia with the delivery of the multi-role fighter jets and the Foreign Ministry “cannot ignore” they F-16s could also carry nuclear payloads.
The Russian Foreign Ministry added in a statement, “We cannot ignore the fact that these planes are dual-purpose platforms that can be used both for nuclear and non-nuclear tasks.
“No matter what modification of the aircraft will be supplied [to Ukraine] we will treat them as nuclear-capable and we will consider this step of the United States and NATO as a purposeful provocation.”
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On Monday the former Russian President warned of a “world catastrophe” calling Western leaders “infantile morons” who are “irresponsible scoundrels,” adding that Ukraine is a “non-existent country.”
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed last Wednesday that they will receive the first batch of F-16s within days.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Ilya Yevlash said the multi-role fighter jets could arrive after Orthodox Easter on 5 May.
Yevlash refused to provide the dates as the Air Force “does not think about these dates,” as the West has changed them so many times throughout the war.
Vladimir Putin has warned that he will order missiles strikes on NATO military airbases which have F-16s ready to be deployed to Ukraine.
Putin said the strikes will hit the supersonic fighters should they carry any nuclear weapons, even though no Western government has mentioned anything about nukes.
Putin told pilots that Russia is ready to destroy any F-16s sent from NATO members “wherever they are.”
The Russian despot said, “Of course, if they are used from airfields of third countries, they become a legitimate target for us, no matter where they are.
“We will destroy their planes in the same way that we destroy their tanks, armoured vehicles, and other equipment, including multiple launch rocket systems.”
Putin added, “The F-16s are also carriers of nuclear weapons, and we will also have to take this into account when organising combat work.”
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