Russia says F-16s will escalate war; Ukraine says warplanes mark a tipping point

SKRYDSTRUP, Denmark – Russia said on Monday that a decision by Denmark and the Netherlands to donate the first F-16s to Ukraine would only escalate the conflict, while Kyiv said the fighter jets would help end Moscow’s invasion.

Denmark and the Netherlands on Sunday announced that they would supply F-16s to Ukraine, with the initial six due to be delivered around New Year. Washington approved the delivery of the US-made jets last week.

“The fact that Denmark has now decided to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine leads to an escalation of the conflict,” said Russian Ambassador Vladimir Barbin in a statement cited by Ritzau news agency.

“By hiding behind a 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.”

Kyiv said the jets would be vital to the success of its bid to drive Russian forces from its territory in a counter-offensive that has proceeded slowly since its launch in early June, as it would prevent Russian fighter jets from attacking advancing forces.

“Superiority in the air is key to success on the ground,” Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat was quoted as saying by Ukrainian media.

Danish Defence Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen said Ukraine may use the donated F-16s only within its own territory.

“We donate weapons under the condition that they are used to drive the enemy out of the territory of Ukraine, and no farther than that,” he said on Monday.

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed on Sunday the “historic” decision by the Netherlands and Denmark to

provide the fighter jets,

the latest move by Western allies to bolster his country’s efforts to fend off Russia’s invasion.

Mr Zelensky had sought the advanced jets for months to strengthen Ukraine’s Soviet-era air force as it pursues a grinding counter-offensive against Russian forces in the east.

Washington announced its approval of the F-16 transfers last Friday, with the training of Ukraine pilots set to begin in August, which may allow Ukraine to begin deploying the jets in early 2024.

The decision is “absolutely historic, powerful and inspiring for us”, Mr Zelensky said alongside Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during a visit to the Eindhoven air force base in the Netherlands.

Mr Rutte said the number of F-16s provided to Kyiv had not been determined, but Mr Zelensky said in a later statement that “our warriors will receive 42 great combat aircraft”.

Mr Zelensky then travelled to Denmark’s Skrydstrup air force base and was greeted by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who said: “We also know that you need more, and that is why today we announced that we will donate 19 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.”

Six of the jets will be delivered by the end of 2023, eight in 2024, and five in 2025, she said.

Mr Zelensky said: “This is a very powerful support for us – training missions are already starting.

“We are doing our best to get even more results for Ukraine. In particular, today we discussed the expansion of training missions.”

In a separate statement, Mr Zelensky thanked the United States, which has strict rules on the sale or transfer of American military equipment by its allies.

“I also thank President Joseph Biden, both parties in the US Congress, and the entire American people for their unwavering support and continuously positive steps for the aviation coalition and for the benefit of our common freedom,” he said.

Drones downed in Russia

Russia, meanwhile, announced that it prevented Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and its region on Sunday, the second such incident in two days.

Both sides have reported regular drone incursions during the conflict, with strikes on Russian territory becoming increasingly regular.

“At around 4am local time, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by drone on infrastructure in Moscow and the Moscow region was thwarted,” the Russian Defence Ministry said.

The Moscow-bound drone was destroyed by “electronic warfare” and crashed into an uninhabited area after losing control, the ministry said, reporting no victims or damage.

But a Ukrainian drone raid

hit a railway station in the western Russian city of Kursk, injuring five people,

the regional governor said on early Sunday.

In the southern region of Rostov that borders Ukraine, Russian air defence intercepted two Ukrainian drones, its governor said.

‘Heinous’ attack in Chernihiv

Last Saturday,

a Russian attack struck the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv,

with the regional governor saying on Sunday that seven people had been killed and 148 injured.

Mr Zelensky vowed “a tangible answer” to the attack, which came as residents attended morning church services during the Orthodox holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The President noted that a six-year-old girl was among the victims.

Ms Denise Brown, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said it was “heinous to attack the main square of a large city, in the morning, while people are out walking, some going to church to celebrate a religious day for many Ukrainians”.

Chernihiv, located 150km north of Kyiv, had largely been spared from major attacks since the first months of Russia’s invasion launched in February 2022, as fierce fighting rages in the east and south.

Ukraine launched a counter-offensive in the east and south in June but has come up against fierce resistance from entrenched Russian forces.

Also on Sunday, supporters of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny held so-called “Putin is a killer” rallies worldwide to mark three years since a poisoning attack on the anti-corruption activist, which he blames on the Kremlin.

Carrying signs with slogans such as “Freedom for political prisoners” and “Russia get out of Ukraine”, a few dozen people protested in front of the Russian embassy in Warsaw, while others staged demonstrations in cities including Brussels, Prague, London and Tallinn. AFP, REUTERS