F-16s in Ukraine will be perceived as nuclear weapons carriers, Russia says

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

They argue that in the near future Ukraine will receive multifunctional American-made F-16 aircraft, and that Russia cannot ignore the fact that these fighters are dual-equipped platforms - non-nuclear and nuclear.

The Russian Foreign Ministry added that F-16s have been the backbone of the fleet for many years, participating in joint nuclear missions of the North Atlantic Alliance.

"Regardless of the modification in which these aircraft are delivered, we will perceive them as nuclear weapons carriers," the Russians said, adding that Moscow would view the delivery of F-16s as a deliberate provocation by the United States and NATO.

• Danish Ambassador to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen says Denmark will send Ukraine the promised F-16 fighter jets in the summer of 2024.
• On April 29, Air Force Command spokesman Illia Yievlash said that Ukraine was preparing a set of measures to protect F-16s while they are at airfields. In particular, these include underground shelters and bunkers.
• On May 1, Yievlash said that the first F-16 multi-role fighter jets would arrive in Ukraine after Easter, but there is no exact timeframe.