The Russian Air Force had to scramble Su-30 and Su-24 fighter jets in order to prevent a violation of the country’s borders by Dutch frigate the Evertsen on 24 June, the Russian Defense Ministry has stated in an apparent response to earlier complaints by the Netherlands’ military.
The ministry said the Evertsen was sailing in neutral waters on 24 June, but later changed its course and moved towards the Kerch Strait. The jets were sent in order to prevent the ship from violating the Russian border there. Soon after the jets flew by the Evertsen, the frigate changed course, the ministry stated.
The Russian Defense Ministry stressed that the jets acted in accordance with international law and that they kept a safe distance from the Dutch ship.
The incident apparently happened the day after a Russian warship and fighter jet were forced to fire warning shots in order to drive the Royal Navy’s HMS Defender from Russia’s territorial waters near the Crimean Peninsula after the British vessel ignored calls to leave.
Source: Sputnik
