Part 7/14:
Russia’s military planners have long relied on the sanctuary of their own territory to suppress Ukrainian strikes and safeguard their logistical hubs. The possibility of F-16s operating within Russian borders threatens this advantage, forcing Moscow to reconsider its defense deployments. Russian airbases, radar systems, and command centers deep within Russia could become legitimate targets, threatening the security of Russian military operations and complicating their planning.
This could also lead to a strategic redeployment of Russian defenses, diverting resources from front-line operations to protect vital infrastructure on their territory. Such shifts could diminish Russia's ability to resist Ukrainian advances and weaken its command and control, potentially altering the war’s momentum.