THE HAGUE (BNO NEWS) — Dutch, British and Danish fighter jets on Tuesday morning intercepted two Russian bombers which had crossed into Dutch airspace, the Dutch Ministry of Defense said. It is the third such incident this year.

A statement from the Dutch Defense ministry said two F-16 aircraft took off from Volkel Air Base on Tuesday to intercept two Russian Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft, which are large, four-engine strategic bombers and missile platforms. They are also known as Bears, its NATO reporting name.

“The Russians flew into the Dutch area of responsibility without making their identity known,” the Dutch ministry said. “Combat leaders of the Air Operations Controls Station Nieuw Milligen gave the Dutch F-16s the order to approach the Bears.”

The ministry said the F-16s intercepted the Russian aircraft when they entered airspace of which the Netherlands has the responsibility under NATO. The fighter jets followed the Russian planes until they left Dutch airspace, northwest of the city of Leeuwarden.

According to the Dutch government, fighter jets of the British and Danish air forces were already following the Russian bombers before they entered Dutch airspace. It was not clear if the Russian bombers had also flown into British or Danish airspace.

“The Quick Reaction Alert of the British Royal Air Force took over the escort [once the Russians left Dutch airspace],” the Dutch ministry said. The Danish and British governments did not comment on the incident.

In late January and early March, two Dutch F-16s also intercepted two Russian bombers which flew unannounced into Dutch airspace. Officials in Russia have not commented on the incidents.

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