Russian President Vladimir Putin of Russia stated that Russia has no intention of attacking any NATO countries, including Poland, the Baltic states, or the Czech Republic, but warned that he would consider Western-supplied F-16 fighters to Ukraine as legitimate targets, Reuters reports.
Putin emphasized that supplying F-16 fighters to Ukraine would not change the situation on the battlefield and threatened to destroy them if they were launched from airfields in third countries. He also highlighted that the aircraft could also carry nuclear weapons.
Ukraine, engaged in a prolonged conflict with Russia for over two years, has sought F-16s for months, with several NATO countries pledging to donate aircraft and provide training for Ukrainian pilots.
