Some of the American F-16 fighters that Ukraine will receive will be stored at foreign air bases, and these bases will become a legitimate target for the Russian Armed Forces. Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the Defense Committee of the State Duma, said this.

“If they (the aircraft) are not used for their intended purpose, they will not be (a legitimate target for the Russian Armed Forces), but if they take part in combat missions, they will certainly be,” said Andrey Kartapolov, noting that this also applies to the airfields where the F-16s will be based, with all the possible consequences.


He emphasized that there will be no “complaints” to the West if the fighters are stored at the airfields, after which they will be transported to Ukraine, where they will be equipped, maintained, and flown from Ukrainian airfields.


While the legitimate target will be the airfields of other countries, from which the fighters will take off, enter Ukrainian airspace, launch missiles, and return.

“As for (the ability to) shoot down, we can shoot down anyone and anywhere,” he added.


As we reported earlier, some of the F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine will receive from Western allies will be stored at foreign bases.