KYIV, Ukraine — The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, laughed at the idea of his country attacking a NATO member, calling it “ridiculous,” but cautioned that any Western air base with U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets destined for Ukraine would be a valid target for the Kremlin’s forces.
“Their claims about our supposed plan to attack Europe after Ukraine is ridiculous,” Putin said on Wednesday night, referring to warnings in the U.S. and Western Europe that Russia could target other countries unless stopped.
He pointed out that the U.S. defense budget is over 10 times greater than Russia’s. “So, are we going to start a war against NATO? It’s nonsense,” he told military pilots during a visit to an air base.
Ukraine is waiting for the delivery of F-16s, which will add to the military pressure on Russia, from its Western partners. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated last year that 42 F-16s had been assured. Ukrainian pilots have been training in the West for months on how to operate the warplanes.
The F-16s need well-maintained runways and strong hangars to protect them from bombing when they are on the ground. It is uncertain how many Ukrainian air bases can meet these requirements, and Russia would likely target the few that could accommodate them once the jets arrive.
Putin cautioned Ukraine’s allies in the West against providing air bases in their countries from where the F-16s could launch attacks against the Kremlin’s forces. He said those bases would be a “valid target.”
“F-16s can carry nuclear weapons, and we will need to consider that when planning our military operations,” Putin added.
Experts in military matters have stated that the arrival of F-16s will not significantly change the situation, given Russia’s large air force and advanced air defense systems, although Ukrainian officials have welcomed them as a chance to retaliate against Russia’s air supremacy.
Putin insisted that the F-16s will not alter the situation on the battlefield.
“We will disable their warplanes just as we do their tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers,” he said.
The F-16s can enhance Ukraine’s ability to target Russian facilities with long-range missile strikes. Ukraine’s counteroffensive last year fell short in part because it lacked air support, making its troops vulnerable to Russian aviation and artillery.
Russia has maintained control of the skies in the conflict with Ukraine, although the deployment of advanced Western air defense systems has compelled Russian warplanes to avoid Ukrainian airspace and carry out attacks while remaining over Russian-controlled territory.
The Kremlin currently has an advantage in weapons and troops, achieving small gains at various points along the approximately 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, as Kyiv awaits more pledged support from the West and weighs a broader mobilization.
According to officials, Russia launched many drones and missiles at southern and eastern Ukraine, causing injuries to over a dozen people as part of their persistent attacks that are meant to weaken Ukrainian defenses.
Ukraine’s air force reported that 26 out of 28 Shahed drones were intercepted by air defense systems. Also, Russian forces reportedly fired five missiles overnight.
The frequent attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine have recently escalated, with missile strikes in the capital city of Kyiv and energy facilities across the country. These attacks are aimed at reducing Ukrainian morale and seeking revenge for Ukrainian strikes on Russian soil.
A recent military assessment by the International Institute for Strategic Studies revealed that one of Russia’s objectives is to reduce Ukraine’s stock of ground-based air defense systems.
This would diminish Ukraine’s combat capability as it awaits delayed military support from the West, including ammunition for its artillery and air defenses.
The IISS stated that Kyiv is facing the threat of an ongoing air war that would increasingly favor Russia without sufficient support from the U.S. and its allies. Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian air threats remains crucial to the war.
On Thursday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Defense Minister Rustan Umerov requested more air defense systems and missiles from foreign allies.
In response to Russia’s missile attacks on critical infrastructure, the Ukrainian Mission to NATO held a special meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the alliance’s headquarters on Thursday.
Kuleba emphasized the urgent need for more air defense and interceptors, particularly Patriot systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. He highlighted that Ukraine is the only country targeted by ballistic missiles almost daily.
Officials in the Mykolaiv region reported that 12 individuals were injured and six residential buildings were damaged in a Russian missile strike on Wednesday afternoon.
In a separate attack in southern Ukraine, Shahed drones hit a residential area, causing minor injuries to two elderly women. Rescue services mentioned that seven buildings were damaged.
The city of Odesa experienced three missile and drone attacks, but officials confirmed that they were repelled.
