According to Interfax, the army assured that the warplanes flew at a safe distance from the Evertsen frigate.

Earlier, the Dutch Defence Ministry said this month that Russian fighter jets, equipped with missiles had harassed the Dutch warship, launching virtual attacks and interfering with its communications systems.

Last Wednesday, the British air-defence destroyer HMS Defender sailed past the Crimea. Russia said it fired warning shots. According to Defence Ministry, De Evertsen was on his way to Romania at that time for a port visit. A day later, the Ministry of Defence made a statement;

The frigate was repeatedly harassed between about 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. local time on Thursday. "They flew dangerously low and close by and carried out feint attacks. The fighters were armed with bombs and so-called air-to-surface missiles, intended to fire at a target from the air. After the hours of intimidation, there were also disruptions of electronic equipment of the Everts."

"The Russian actions violated the right to free use of the sea. In addition, they go against mutual agreements, as laid down in the INCSEA treaty. The agreement is intended to prevent unsafe situations at sea."

Russia had previously indicated that it would follow the two ships in the Black Sea. A similar action had also happened to the Evertsen in the Baltic Sea a few years ago. Now, however, it is much longer intimidation, which was also accompanied by jamming.