Ukraine to Station F-16s in NATO Countries Amid Russian Threats

 

As Ukraine prepares to receive its first batch of F-16 Fighting Falcons, it plans to station some of these jets at NATO bases outside of Ukraine to protect them from potential Russian attacks. Serhii Holubtsov, a senior official at the Ukrainian Air Force Command, revealed this strategy in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). He explained that keeping a number of F-16s at secure foreign bases will ensure they are not targeted within Ukraine, serving as a reserve for maintenance and replacement needs.

Holubtsov did not specify the exact number of aircraft to be stationed abroad but emphasized that the availability of trained pilots would determine how many F-16s remain in Ukraine. Several NATO countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway, have pledged to supply dozens of F-16s to Ukraine. The first Danish F-16s are expected to arrive this summer, with some Western aircraft remaining at training facilities outside Ukraine for pilot training and other aviation staff.

Holubtsov noted that reserve aircraft at foreign bases would replace damaged ones sent for repairs and be used for pilot training. However, a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) identified bottlenecks in training Ukrainian pilots, with limited capacity at Western training facilities in the US, Denmark, and Romania.

The threat from Russia has escalated with frequent warnings from Moscow. Sergey Shmotyev, Director General of the Russian company Fores, has offered a reward of 15 million rubles ($168,000) for shooting down the first F-16 in Ukraine. Russia maintains that the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine won't significantly alter the conflict, as its long-range missiles can target almost all Ukrainian airfields. Former Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu claimed that Russian air defenses could shoot down all F-16s within 20 days of their arrival in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that F-16s would be legitimate targets if used against Russian troops from third-country airfields. This has heightened concerns about escalating tensions between Moscow and NATO. Despite these threats, Putin asserted that Russia has no aggressive intentions towards NATO member states but will destroy any F-16s provided to Ukraine, just as it does with tanks and other military equipment.

While Holubtsov did not confirm whether the F-16s stationed abroad would be used to attack Russia, the strategy underscores Ukraine's cautious approach in safeguarding its new assets.