Ukraine: Putin Issues Warning on Use of NATO F-16s

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MAR 28 2024

Image copyright: Sasha Mordovets/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Imagesstory last updated MAR 29 2024

The Facts

Coming off the back of an election win that secured his fifth term in office, shortly followed by the worst terrorist attack on Russian soil in nearly 20 years, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin on Wednesday issued words of warning to Ukraine's NATO allies over the delivery of US-made F-16 fighter jets to the war-torn country.
In a speech to Russian pilots in the Tver region, Putin started off his remarks by stating that Russia has no designs on any NATO country. "The idea that we will attack some other country — Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are also being scared — is complete nonsense," Putin said. "It's just drivel."
However, turning to the issue of F-16 jets — which countries including Belgium, Denmark, and Norway are soon expected to deliver to Ukraine — Putin said they would not change the situation on the battlefield. "And we will destroy the aircraft just as we destroy today tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers," he added.

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Putin starts his speech by claiming that he has no bad intentions against Western countries. Immediately contradicting himself, he then recklessly threatens those countries with attack, saying he would destroy NATO's F-16s aircraft — even if they were outside Ukraine.

Daily Mail

Pro-Russia narrative

Russia has been consistent throughout the conflict that if F-16 fighter jets are delivered to Ukraine, they will have to be targeted and destroyed — as is the case with all other foreign-provided weaponry. Russia has also been consistent that if F-16s stage attacks from third countries, the bases in those countries would become legitimate military targets too.

TASS