Dutch F-35s intercept three Russian military aircraft over Poland — Netherlands’ defense ministry

Two Polish Air Force Russian made Mig 29's fly above and below two Polish Air Force US made F-16's fighter jets during the Air Show in Radom, Poland, Aug. 27, 2011. (AP)
Two Polish Air Force Russian made Mig 29's fly above and below two Polish Air Force US made F-16's fighter jets during the Air Show in Radom, Poland, Aug. 27, 2011. (AP)
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Updated 14 February 2023
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Dutch F-35s intercept three Russian military aircraft over Poland — Netherlands’ defense ministry

Dutch F-35s intercept three Russian military aircraft over Poland — Netherlands’ defense ministry
  • Kaliningrad is a Russian Baltic coast enclave located between NATO and European Union members Poland and Lithuania

MOSCOW: Two Dutch F-35 fighters intercepted a formation of three Russian military aircraft over Poland and escorted them out, the Netherlands’ defense ministry said in a statement late on Monday.
“The then unknown aircraft approached the Polish NATO area of responsibility from Kaliningrad,” according to Reuters’ translation of the ministry’s statement.
Kaliningrad is a Russian Baltic coast enclave located between NATO and European Union members Poland and Lithuania.
“After identification, it turned out to be three aircraft: a Russian IL-20M Coot-A that was escorted by two Su-27 Flankers. The Dutch F-35s escorted the formation from a distance and handed over the escort to NATO partners.”
The Il-20M Coot-A is NATO’s reporting name for the Russian Ilyushin Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft while the Su-27 Flankers are NATO’s reporting name for the Sukhoi Su-28 fighter aircraft.
Russia’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for a comment.
The Netherlands’ defense ministry said that eight Dutch F-35s are stationed in Poland for February and March.