Denmark allows Ukraine to use F-16s against military targets within Russia, dismisses Russian threats

Denmark's foreign minister has affirmed that Ukraine is authorized to use Danish F-16 fighter jets against Russian military assets, dismissing Moscow's retaliatory threats as mere "propaganda war."

Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s Foreign Minister, brushed off Russia’s warning of "monstrous consequences" if Ukraine uses Danish F-16s against Russian territory, labeling it as part of Russia's "propaganda war." He stated that Kyiv has the right to target military installations within Russia using the Danish-supplied jets.

Rasmussen acknowledged the risk of cyber attacks but downplayed the threat of a direct Russian military attack on Denmark, according to Kristeligt Dagblad.

Last fall, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands pledged to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets starting in 2025, with a total commitment of about 80 jets. Kyiv has urgently requested more advanced aircraft to bolster its air force against Russia’s larger and more sophisticated fleet. However, many Ukrainian allies stipulate that their supplied weapons should only be used within Ukraine and not for strikes on Russian territory.

Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, warned that Russia would perceive F-16s in Ukraine as a "nuclear threat," since the jets could potentially deliver nuclear weapons against Russia. Barbin's comments followed Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s statement on May 28 that Ukraine is allowed to use Danish weapons on Russian territory, as long as it complies with international law.

Rasmussen characterized the Russian statements as "harsh rhetoric" in the propaganda war, adding, “There is a risk of cyber attacks, and we must not be naive. But if we are talking about a risk of an actual attack on our territory, that is not something I am worried about.”

He emphasized that supplying the jets does not grant Ukraine “carte blanche” for “indiscriminate attacks into Russia,” but permits striking military targets under the laws of war, as Russia has opened a new front across the northeastern border.

“We’re talking about an opportunity to weaken the aggressor by taking out military installations [such as weapons depots] on Russian territory,” Rasmussen explained, asserting that “It is completely within the rules of war that a country under attack must be able to respond. That also includes the right to go after installations on the attacking party’s own territory.”

Previously, Belgium announced it would deliver 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028, with initial aircraft arriving this year. However, Belgian Prime Minister De Croo emphasized that the jets must be used exclusively on Ukrainian soil.

On May 29, German Chancellor Scholz’s spokesperson clarified that Ukraine’s “defensive action is not limited to one’s own territory, but [can] also be expanded to the territory of the aggressor.”

Earlier, French President Macron supported the notion that Ukraine should be allowed to use Western-supplied weapons against Russian military installations on Russian territory.