Fighter planes and bomber jets were dispatched to follow a Dutch naval vessel only after it changed direction towards Russian waters, defense officials in Moscow said on Tuesday, amid a growing diplomatic spat over the incident.
The frigate Evertsen was on course to violate the Russian border in the Black Sea, but was prevented from doing so by Russian jets flying at a safe distance from the vessel, Moscow claimed, in response to Amsterdam’s complaints.
The incident occurred on June 24, just a day after the British Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender violated Russian territorial waters off Crimea’s Cape Fiolent and was warned off by jets and a coast guard vessel.
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WNU Editor: According to the Russian Ministry of Defense .... While sailing in neutral waters, the HNLMS Evertsen “changed its course and began to move in the direction of the Kerch Strait.”
The bridge that straddles the Kerch Strait is Crimea's lifeline to Russia and is considered by Moscow to be strategic asset to be protected at all costs. If this Dutch frigate had ignored Russian warnings and had decided to enter Russian waters and continue with its course to the Strait, I am 100% certain that the Kremlin would have ordered its forces to fire on this ship.
More News On Another NATO Ship In The Black Sea Being Intercepted By Russian Military Forces When It Changed Course Towards Russian Waters
Russia scrambled military planes to prevent border violation by Dutch frigate -- TASS
Russian Jets Armed With Anti-Ship Missiles “Harassed” Dutch Frigate In The Black Sea -- Warzone/The Drive
Dutch Say Russian Jets Buzzed Warship in Black Sea -- Moscow Times/AFP
Russian fighter jets harassed a Dutch frigate in the Black Sea for hours and carried out mock attacks, defense ministry says -- Business Insider
