Russia's Military Planes Prevent Border Violation By Dutch Frigate

On June 24, 2021 the Black Sea Fleet's means of monitoring NATO ships' movements in the Black Sea established that the Dutch frigate The Evertsen changed course in international waters and started moving towards the Kerch Strait. To prevent a violation of Russia's territorial waters Sukhoi-30 fighters and Sukhoi-24 bombers were scrambled to fly near the Dutch naval ship at a safe distance. The frigate promptly turned away from the Russian border and continued along the original course.

Earlier, the Dutch Defense Ministry claimed that Russian fighters created an unsafe situation in the Black Sea by flying too low over the frigate The Evertsen. The incident occurred the next day after a British frigate intruded into Russia's territorial waters.

According to the Dutch side, "the fighters were armed with bombs and air-to-surface missiles intended to strike targets from the air" and "flew dangerously close by and low [over the frigate], performing feint attacks." Besides, the frigate suffered disruptions of its electronic equipment after the flyover.

The planes strictly followed international rules, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "All flights by Russian planes were carried out in strict compliance with international rules of using airspace," it said.