Dutch F-35s intercept three Russian military aircraft over Poland, says the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
"The then-unknown aircraft approached the Polish area of NATO responsibility from Kaliningrad," according to Reuters' translation of the ministry's statement.
Feb 14 (Reuters) - Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets intercepted a formation of three Russian military aircraft over Poland and escorted them out, the Dutch Defense Ministry said in a statement on Monday evening (13).
"The then-unknown aircraft approached the Polish area of responsibility under NATO jurisdiction from Kaliningrad," according to Reuters' translation of the ministry's statement.
Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave on the Baltic coast located between NATO and European Union members Poland and Lithuania.
"After identification, it was discovered that there were three aircraft: a Russian IL-20M Coot-A escorted by two Su-27 Flankers. The Dutch F-35s escorted the formation from a distance and handed over the escort to their NATO partners."
The Il-20M Coot-A is the NATO reporting name for the Russian Ilyushin Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft, while the Su-27 Flankers is the NATO reporting name for the Sukhoi Su-28 fighter jet.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence said that eight Dutch F-35s are stationed in Poland for February and March.
Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne. Editing by Matthew Lewis.
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