Belgian F-16 planes intercepted two Russian bombers flying over the North Sea in the area for which the Netherlands is responsible on behalf of NATO, the Dutch Defense Ministry said on Friday (November 12th).
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The Russian aircraft, of the Tupolev TU-160 "
Blackjack
" type, a heavy supersonic bomber, were flying over the area without having notified the Dutch authorities, the ministry said.
The Belgian planes accompanied the Russian planes to the area under the responsibility of the United Kingdom, where British planes took over.
"
It happens from time to time that Russian military planes enter NATO airspace without identifying themselves,
" the ministry said.
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The Netherlands and Belgium take turns defending the airspace over the Benelux.
