The decision by Denmark and the Netherlands to donate the first F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine would only escalate the war, warned Russia on Monday while Ukraine said the aircraft would help in ending Moscow’s invasion. On Sunday, Denmark and the Netherlands announced that they will pledge F-16s to Ukraine with initial six due to be delivered around New Year during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the two nations. The announcement came after the United States 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," Russian ambassador Vladimir Barbin said in a statement cited by the Ritzau news agency, reported Reuters.
"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," he said.
Meanwhile, Kyiv said that the jets will be vital to the success in its bid to drive the Russian forces from its territory in the counteroffensive. "Superiority in the air is key to success on the ground," air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat was quoted as saying by Ukrainian media, as per the report cited above.
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Ukrainian Drone Attack In Moscow Injures 2
At least two people were injured in a drone attack by Ukraine in the Moscow region on Monday while 50 flights were disrupted due to the incident. The drone was jammed by Russia in the Ruzsky district west of the capital while another was destroyed in the Istrinsky district nearby.
Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsia said that arrivals and departures from Moscow's four main airports - Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky - were restricted, disrupting 45 passenger planes and two cargo planes, as per Reuters.