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

Russia has stated that it will treat the F-16 multi-purpose fighter jets that Ukraine is soon to receive from its Western partners as nuclear weapons carriers

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.