• Two Dutch F-35 fighters intercepted a formation of three Russian military planes.
• The Russian Ilyushin Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft is known as the Il-20M Coot-A.
• Sukhoi Su-28 fighter aircraft is known as the Su-27 Flankers.

Two Dutch F-35 fighters intercepted a formation of three Russian military planes near Poland and escorted them out, the Dutch defense minister said late Monday.

“From Kaliningrad, the then unknown aircraft approached the Polish NATO area of responsibility,”

Kaliningrad is a Russian Baltic coast enclave sandwiched between NATO and EU members Poland and Lithuania.

“After identification, it turned out to be three aircraft: a Russian IL-20M Coot-A that was escorted by two Su-27 Flankers. The Dutch F-35s escorted the formation from a distance and handed over the escort to NATO partners.”

The Russian Ilyushin Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft is known as the Il-20M Coot-A, whereas the Sukhoi Su-28 fighter aircraft is known as the Su-27 Flankers.

Russia’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to the Dutch defense ministry, eight Dutch F-35s will be stationed in Poland in February and March.

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