Moscow: Agencies
The Russian Foreign Ministry has warned that F-16 fighters arriving in Ukraine from NATO members will be considered by Moscow to be carrying nuclear weapons.
The F-16s represent a critical upgrade for Ukraine's aging fleet, which consists mostly of Soviet-era aircraft that suffered significant losses during the conflict, according to the EurAsian Times website.
Moscow has strongly opposed the deployment of the US-made fighter, citing concerns about the F-16's dual ability to carry conventional and nuclear weapons.
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the “historic” participation of such aircraft in what it described as “joint nuclear missions” carried out by NATO.
She stressed that the fact that these aircraft belong to dual-equipped platforms cannot be ignored, stressing that regardless of the modification of these aircraft, Moscow will consider them a carrier of nuclear weapons, which is considered a “deliberate provocation” on the part of the United States and NATO.
This latest announcement by the Russian Foreign Ministry reflects sentiments previously expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who previously emphasized the nuclear capabilities of the F-16s, warning that Russia would treat them as legitimate targets.
Putin said in late March that the planes would be destroyed just as Moscow was destroying tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers.