February 14 (Portal) – Two Dutch F-35 fighters intercepted and escorted a formation of three Russian military planes near Poland, the Dutch Defense Ministry said in a statement late Monday.
“The then unknown plane was approaching from Kaliningrad in the Polish NATO area of responsibility,” the Portal translation of the ministry’s statement said.
Kaliningrad is an enclave on Russia’s Baltic coast between NATO and EU members Poland and Lithuania.
“After identification, it turned out to be three aircraft: a Russian IL-20M Coot-A escorted by two Su-27 flankers. The Dutch F-35s escorted the formation from afar and handed the escort over to 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-27 fighter aircraft.
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The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to Portal’ request for comment.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense said eight Dutch F-35s are based in Poland for February and March.
Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne Editing by Matthew Lewis and Tim Hepher
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