Netherlands confirms permission for Ukraine to use F-16s against targets in Russia
Photo: Ruben Breckelmans
Ukraine can use the F-16 fighter jets provided by the Netherlands in Russia. It is allowed to do so in Russian airspace, according to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
“We have delivered our first batch of F-16s. They are currently in Ukrainian airspace. And we have always said that Ukraine needs to comply with international law,” he tells reporters before a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels on October 17.
According to him, international law does not contain any distance restrictions. “But international law does not contain any restrictions in terms of distance. International law doesn't stop at the border or 100km away from the border,” the Minister adds.
Brekelmans emphasizes that this may be necessary to intercept missiles or to strike, for example, at Russian airfields.
“So military targets. And that's also allowed to do that inside Russian territory or in Russian airspace,” Brekelmans says.
He also notes that support for Ukraine is a key issue.
“I think the support of Ukraine is a key priority for these days. I went to Kharkiv and Kyiv ten days ago and the situation both at the frontline, but in big cities, as Kharkiv is very concerning. So I think we need to step up our efforts. Second, we need to talk about bolstering our defense and deterrence, because the Russian threat is only increasing not only in the short term but also in the longer term,” says the Dutch Defense Minister.
In October, Ukraine received the first F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands. This was announced by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans in Kharkiv. According to him, the remaining 24 aircraft will arrive in the coming months.
