Russia Warns F-16s to Ukraine Will 'Escalate' Conflict

• On Monday, Russia's ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, described the latter's decision to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets as "an escalation of the conflict," adding, "Such a position pushes Ukraine into the abyss and condemns its people to new victims." Barrons
• The warning comes after the Netherlands and Denmark on Sunday pledged to provide Kyiv with F-16s once the training of Ukrainian pilots had been satisfactorily completed. Newsweek (LR: 1 CP: 5)
• Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country would provide 19 jets — "hopefully" six around New Year, eight in 2024, and the remaining five in 2025 — "as a token of Denmark's unwavering support" for Ukraine's fight for freedom. Guardian (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• However, Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen asserted Ukraine could only use its F-16s to drive the enemy out of the territory. He added: "It's important that they will be used for self-defense in Ukraine. The idea is so that the planes are not used for an attack on Russia." TASS
• Though the Netherlands didn't reveal how many jets it would provide, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the country currently possesses 42 F-16s that could soon be replaced by the more modern F-35 jets. Guardian (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who visited both countries on Sunday, described their decision to deliver F-16s to Kyiv as "historic" and "the most important" one yet. CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)

Pro-Ukraine narrative:

• Ukraine acquiring these long-sought-after jets is a significant step toward countering Russia's air superiority. The F-16s will allow the country to defend its skies from Russian attacks as they can be used in air-to-air and ground-attack missions.
  CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)

Pro-Russia narrative:

• The West's transfer of F-16 jets to Ukraine demonstrates that the US and its allies aim to prolong the conflict further and have no intention of reaching a peace settlement. Russia considers the F-16s a nuclear threat because of their capacity to carry atomic weapons.
  TASS

Nerd narrative:

• There's a 4% chance that there will be a deadly clash between the US and Russian armed forces before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
  Metaculus (LR: 3 CP: 3)