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 R
ussian
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.
