F-16s from Dutch, Danes will 'deliver new results for Ukraine,' Zelenskyy says: Live updates
USA TodaySep 01, 2023
Russia Warns F-16s to Ukraine Will 'Escalate' Conflict
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Image copyright: [via Ukraine's Presidential Press Office]
The Facts
On Monday, Russia's ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, described the latter's decision to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets as "an escalation of the conflict," adding, "Such a position pushes Ukraine into the abyss and condemns its people to new victims."
The warning comes after the Netherlands and Denmark on Sunday pledged to provide Kyiv with F-16s once the training of Ukrainian pilots had been satisfactorily completed.
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Ukraine acquiring these long-sought-after jets is a significant step toward countering Russia's air superiority. The F-16s will allow the country to defend its skies from Russian attacks as they can be used in air-to-air and ground-attack missions.
Pro-Russia narrative
The West's transfer of F-16 jets to Ukraine demonstrates that the US and its allies aim to prolong the conflict further and have no intention of reaching a peace settlement. Russia considers the F-16s a nuclear threat because of their capacity to carry atomic weapons.
