Russia could expand its strikes to Ukraine’s entire airfield infrastructure, including civilian airports, if Kyiv attempts to carry out its threats against Russian civilian aviation, retired Russian Major General and Honored Military Pilot Vladimir Popov told aif.ru.

According to Popov, Russian forces are currently striking around 20 Ukrainian military airfields while deliberately avoiding civilian airports. He said that restraint would continue only as long as Kyiv’s threats did not turn into action.

If the situation escalates, Popov warned, Moscow’s response could be devastating and could go as far as the complete destruction of Ukraine’s airfield infrastructure. If military necessity arises, he said, Russia would strike both military and civilian aviation facilities.

At the same time, Popov dismissed the threats to block Russian airspace as unrealistic. Given the sheer size of the country, he argued, physically closing its airspace would be impossible. He compared such an attempt to trying to spread ten grams of butter over an entire loaf of bread. Popov added that Russian military pilots were prepared to act preemptively and respond forcefully to any potential provocations.

Popov also said that Moscow follows a reciprocal approach and does not resort to methods of terror. However, he warned that any attempt to carry out threats against Russian civilian aviation would be treated as an act of state terrorism and would have corresponding consequences.

The retired major general also referred to Vladimir Putin’s stated position that Russia does not seek to provoke or aggravate the situation. At the same time, Popov said, Moscow is prepared to burn out everything that poses a threat to the country’s security.