Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets have intercepted a formation of three Russian warplanes near Polish airspace and escorted them away. The incident was confirmed by the Dutch Ministry of Defense in a statement tonight, Reuters reports.
Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave on the Baltic coast, located between the NATO and European Union member states Poland and Lithuania.
The unknown aircraft approached the Polish NATO area of responsibility from Kaliningrad. After identification, it turned out to be three aircraft: a Russian Il-20M Coot-A (reconnaissance aircraft), escorted by two Su-27 Flankers (Su-28 Sukhoi).
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on the situation.
Eight Dutch F-35s are deployed to Poland in February and March.
