Russian ambassador to US threatens consequences of "blessing" strikes on Crimea

The Russian Embassy in the US reported the information.  

Antonov expressed concern about the United States' preparations to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and the approval of strikes on Crimea using American and Western weapons.

"I would like to warn representatives of the US administration against making light judgments about Crimea, especially in terms of "blessing" air attacks on the peninsula. Let me remind you that strikes on this territory are considered as an attack on any other subject of the Russian Federation. It is important that the United States is fully aware of Russia's response," Antonov said. 

He expressed fears that if Ukraine is provided with F-16s, the fighter jets will take off from NATO airfields and foreign volunteers will be at the controls of the aircraft, as Ukraine allegedly lacks the appropriate infrastructure.   

"So far, Washington has been opposing us with someone else's hands, by proxy. However, every expert knows that Ukraine does not have the infrastructure to operate F-16s, and there is no required number of pilots and maintenance personnel either. What will happen if American fighter jets take off from NATO airfields, piloted by foreign volunteers?" Antonov asked. 

• On May 20, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the supply of F-16 fighter jets allegedly poses enormous risks to Western countries themselves. 

• On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved Ukrainians training on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to attack Russian territory.