"Putin Warns NATO: F-16 Bases Are Targets, But Rules Out Attacks on NATO Countries"

Russian President Putin dismissed the idea of attacking a NATO member but warned that Western air bases hosting F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine would be legitimate targets, citing concerns about the jets' potential to carry nuclear weapons. The delivery of F-16s to Ukraine is seen as a way to counter Russia's air dominance, but Putin downplayed their impact, stating that Russia would destroy them along with other military equipment. Meanwhile, Russia continues to launch attritional attacks on Ukraine, prompting Ukrainian officials to appeal for more air defense systems and missiles from foreign allies.