In this regard, I would like to note that the fighter jets supplied to Ukraine, as well as the airfields from which they take off, are considered by the Russian side as a legitimate target during a special military operation.
…Vladimir Tarabrin, Russian Ambassador to the Netherlands
Russia views F-16 fighter jets and all airfields where they are based as legitimate targets. This was stated by Russian Ambassador to the Netherlands Vladimir Tarabrin, commenting on the government’s permission to export the aircraft to Kiev.
The Russian diplomat stressed that Moscow views the Netherlands’ decision to supply fighter jets to Ukraine as another step toward escalating the conflict, which leads to further destabilization of the international situation. Tarabrin also warned that all aircraft supplied to Kiev and their airfields are legitimate targets for Russian troops.
Earlier, the State Duma warned Western countries that the deployment of F-16 fighters transferred to Kiev at airfields outside of Ukraine makes them a legitimate target for Russian missiles if the aircraft participate in combat sorties. Before that, the North Atlantic Alliance was warned about the inadmissibility of deploying Ukrainian fighters on the territory of NATO countries.
Let us recall that the Netherlands today approved the transfer of 24 F-16 fighters from the Kingdom’s Air Force to Ukraine. The first aircraft should arrive in Ukraine in the “near future”, most likely by the end of summer.