Polish-based Dutch F-16s intercept Russian transport plane
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
14.11.2014 08:38
Two Dutch F-16s stationed in Malbork, northern Poland, intercepted a Russian transport plane which encroached Estonian and Lithuanian airspace, the Dutch defence ministry has said.
pixabay
photo: PAP / EPA / Pantelis Saitas
The incident occurred late on Wednesday with the F-16s fighter jets, part of NATO's Air Policing Task force, escorting the military II-76 transport plane out of Baltic airspace.
The Russian defence ministry has said, however, that the flight path of the transport plane, on its way to a base in the Kaliningrad enclave on Poland's border, was in “accordance with international agreements”.
Tension between Russia and NATO has increased since the conflict in Ukraine escalated earlier this year.
The Netherlands meanwhile held a ceremony this week for the 298 victims, including 193 Dutch nationals, of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 which was shot down in eastern Ukraine in July. (pg)