TORZHOK, Tver region. March 28 (Interfax) - Airfields in third countries will become Russia's legitimate targets if U.S. F-16 fighter jets take off from there to participate in the Ukraine conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Of course, if they are operated from airfields in third countries, they will become our legitimate target, no matter where they are," Putin told the military during a working visit to the Tver region.
"If they supply F-16, and they are talking about it, then I believe you understand better than anyone else this will not change the situation on the battlefield," Putin said.
"We will destroy these aircraft, just like we are destroying their tanks, armored vehicles and other hardware, including multiple rocket launchers," he said.
F-16 are capable of delivering nuclear weapons, he said. "We also need to keep this in mind," he said.