Russia warns: delivery of F-16s to Ukraine is a nuclear threat
Russia sees the West’s supply of modern fighter jets like the F-16 to Ukraine as a nuclear threat. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warns against this in an interview with the Russian website Lenta.ru.
According to Lavrov, F-16s can be equipped with nuclear weapons. “The very fact that such systems appear in the Ukrainian armed forces will be seen as a nuclear threat by the West,” he warned. “The United States and its NATO allies are creating the risk of a direct military confrontation with Russia, which could have catastrophic consequences.”
Victims of the new night air raid on Kiev
At least one person has been killed and at least four injured in nighttime drone strikes in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, authorities said. Buildings were damaged and fires broke out, including in an apartment building. It is the third night in a row that Kiev has been bombed by drones of the Russian army.
The attack started around 1:30 am local time. The anti-aircraft guns were active and explosions were heard in several places in the city. Army command in Kiev speaks of a “massive attack,” in which Iranian-made Shahed drones arrived from multiple directions at once.
According to the army command, around ten drones were used in the attack, all of which were shot down. Casualties fell as debris fell in different places in the city. A 16-story apartment building, among others, was hit by the falling pieces, injuring at least two people, authorities said.
Biden: Ukraine is an example for the whole world
The ‘unimaginable’ courage shown by Ukraine is an example for the whole world. US President Joe Biden said this during a joint press conference with other leaders at the NATO summit in Vilnius. “You are great,” he told the Ukrainians present. “All of you: your sons, daughters, husbands, wives and friends.”
Biden, who said the Russian military was “pretending to fight in the 14th century,” promised Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky “unwavering support.” He has promised that the United States will do everything possible to provide Ukraine with the necessary aid. “The bad news is you’re stuck with us,” he joked. Because we’re not going anywhere.
This live blog is based on reports from our correspondents and editors BNR, The Guardian, ANP, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Associated Press, CNN, BBC, CNBC, Sky News and Agence France-Presse. BNR also uses online reports from news agencies Tass, RIA Novosti and Interfax (Russia) and Belta (Belarus). Since the reporting of these agencies is not verifiable and cannot be qualified as independent, in these cases the source of the report is explicitly stated.