The US gives Poland a “green light” to supply fighter jets to Ukraine, but Russia threatens “war” for stationing planes

The US tonight gave NATO allies the “green light” to supply fighter jets to Ukraine – but Russia warned it will be at war with any country supplying planes.

Foreign Minister Antony Blinken sealed a deal with Poland and other countries to send their Russian-made MiGs to help Ukraine’s armed forces.

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Poland has reportedly asked the US to send F-16 fighter jets to replace any Soviet-era MiGs it is supplying to Kyiv.

Asked if the deal had been greenlit, Mr Blinken said CBS‘s Face the Nation: “This gets the green light.

“In fact, if they actually decide to make these fighter jets available to the Ukrainians, we are in discussion with our Polish friends about what we could do to meet their needs.”

“What can we do? How can we help them get something to refill the planes they are handing over to the Ukrainians?”

He added that NATO countries and members of the G7 are “working together” to put pressure on the Kremlin to introduce more sanctions in the coming days.

However, he noted that Putin is “stepping up and increasing this aggression against Ukraine.”

“I think unfortunately, tragically, we must be prepared for this to continue for some time to come,” he said.

However, the Russian Defense Ministry has issued a chilling warning to any NATO allies considering helping Ukraine by landing planes on their bases.

Spokesman Igor Konashenkov warned: “We know for sure that Ukrainian warplanes have flown to Romania and other neighboring countries.

“The use of the airfield network of these countries to station Ukrainian military aviation and the subsequent use of force against the Russian army can be considered as participation of these states in an armed conflict.”

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has again urged the West to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine after eight Russian missiles destroyed a civilian airport in Vinnytsia.

Zelenskyi said: “We repeat every day: Close the skies over Ukraine. Close to all Russian missiles, to Russian warplanes, to all their terrorists.

“If you don’t do that, if you don’t at least give us planes to protect ourselves, the only thing left to conclude is that they want us killed very slowly.”

Shocking footage shows the airport completely destroyed by the attack, and black smoke billows in the distance.

His comments come after the Russian dictator said Western sanctions against his regime are like a “declaration of war”.

Putin also hinted at a nuclear strike should NATO forces interfere, saying it would have “colossal and catastrophic consequences not only for Europe but for the entire world.”

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He also warned that anyone trying to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine will be considered to have entered the conflict.

“Any movement in this direction will be considered by us as participation in an armed conflict in this country,” Putin said.

It comes after nine planes were shot down on a day when Russian pilots begged they were just “following orders”.

Footage showed the detained pilots with their hands behind their backs and some covered in blood.

Show shocking pictures Civilians running for their lives when Russian forces broke the ceasefire for the second time.

Britain’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that Putin’s forces had promised to let the people escape – but again Russian shelling resumed before the fugitives could leave.

Previously, Russia has violated their own Armistice Agreement in Mariupol, 200,000 people trapped.

Russian troops continue to advance towards the capital, which remains Putin’s main target.

Russian forces were also accused of dropping 500 kg bombs on civilians in Chernihiv.

Ukraine now claims so Russia lost 11,000 soldiers and more than 2,000 army vehicles.

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