Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin issues ‘serious’ warning to west as Kyiv ‘shoots down three bombers’
Vladimir Putin has issued a “serious” warning to the west as Ukraine reportedly shot down three Russian bombers.
The Kremlin on Friday threatened “serious consequences” for Europe and the US if Russian assets held abroad are given to aid the Ukrainian budget and war effort. These might include tit-for-tat financial seizures or even a break in diplomatic relations.
It comes as Ukraine’s air force chiefs said they had shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter bombers over the south of the country, in what would be a blow to Putin. Su-34 aircraft, which are armed with guided bombs and Kh-59 missiles, can carry out long-distance attacks.
Earlier, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky cited a report by HUR, the country’s military intelligence agency, that suggested a noticeable slowdown in Russia’s military-industrial complex, almost 22 months after Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
It comes as the Dutch government announced it is preparing to give 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, in a boost for the embattled nation that is growing increasingly anxious about aid from its Western allies.
