In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between NATO and the Kremlin have escalated further, with the Kremlin now issuing a warning against airfields hosting Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets intended for use against Russia.

Andrei Kartapolov, head of the defense committee in the Russian parliament's lower house, made the statement on Monday, stating that if the Ukrainian F-16s are used to launch attacks on Russia, the NATO bases hosting these fighter jets would become "legitimate targets" for the Kremlin. Kartapolov further emphasized that the Russian military has the ability to shoot down any aircraft wherever they may be.

Ukraine is set to receive F-16 fighter jets from its Western allies starting this summer, with Denmark and the Netherlands leading the efforts. The delivery of these advanced aircraft is expected to significantly enhance Ukraine's aerial capabilities and serve as a countermeasure against Russian aggression.

However, Ukrainian military officials have expressed concerns about the safety of these advanced aircraft. Serhii Holubtsov, head of aviation for Ukraine's air force, stated on Monday that in order to avoid Russian strikes on the F-16s, a certain number of the aircraft will be stored at secure air bases located outside of Ukraine. This strategy would ensure that there is always a sufficient number of operational aircraft that corresponds to the number of pilots available.

Integrating the F-16s into Ukraine's air force presents additional challenges, as these warplanes require well-maintained runways and reinforced hangars for protection against ground attacks. It remains unclear how many Ukrainian air bases can meet these requirements.

The Kremlin's warning echoes previous threats made by Russian President Vladimir Putin in late March. Putin had stated that Western airbases hosting F-16s carrying out operations against Russia would indeed be considered "legitimate targets."

As tensions continue to rise between NATO and the Kremlin, the possibility of direct conflict remains a cause for concern. Newsweek has reached out to the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministries, as well as NATO, for comment on the matter.

The international community closely monitors the situation as Ukraine prepares to receive the F-16s, assessing the potential risks and consequences of these advanced aircraft being utilized in the ongoing conflict.