US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chanceler Nardone
- Putin said Western air bases hosting F-16 fighter jets will be "legitimate" targets.
- However, he also claimed F-16s "won't change the situation on the battlefield."
- Putin's comments show how he could escalate the conflict, said a Swedish defense official.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Western air bases hosting F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine will be "legitimate" targets for the Kremlin's forces, according to The Associated Press.