Russia warns F-16 fighter jet donations to escalate war with Ukraine

Russia has condemned a decision by Denmark and the Netherlands to donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, saying the move would escalate the war, the Guardian reports.

Denmark and the Netherlands on August 20 announced they would supply F-16s to Ukraine, with the first six due to be delivered around the new year.

In a statement cited by the Ritzau news agency, Vladimir Barbin, the Russian ambassador, said:

The fact that Denmark has now decided to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine leads to an escalation of the conflict.

By hiding behind the premise that Ukraine itself must determine the conditions for peace, Denmark seeks with its actions and words to leave Ukraine with no other choice but to continue the military confrontation with Russia.

Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, Denmark’s defence minister, said Ukraine may only use the donated F-16s within its own territory, Reuters reports.

“We donate weapons under the condition that they are used to drive the enemy out of the territory of Ukraine. And no further than that,” Ellemann-Jensen said on August 21.

“Those are the conditions, whether it’s tanks, fighter planes, or something else,” he added.

Denmark will deliver 19 jets in total; the Netherlands has 42 F-16s available in all but has yet to decide whether all of them will be donated.

The Netherlands and Denmark have announced they will donate up to 61 F-16 fighter jets between them to Ukraine once pilot training has been satisfactorily completed, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited both countries after months of entreaties to bolster the Ukrainian air force.