A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter has come dangerously close to a Polish Frontex aircraft. (Symbolic image) © IMAGO/Russian Defence Ministry
Because of an explosive incident over the Black Sea, the NATO "pre-alarm" has been triggered. A Russian fighter jet came dangerously close to a Polish plane.
Update from May 8th: The explosive fighter jet incident over the Black Sea apparently has consequences. NATO increased surveillance of the airspace. "In response to the dangerous behavior of a Russian military aircraft near a Polish Frontex aircraft over the Black Sea near Romania on Friday, NATO air policing has been put on high alert. NATO remains vigilant," the alliance's headquarters told the Polish news agency PAP.
After an interception maneuver of a Russian fighter jet, the EU border protection agency Frontex has suspended the patrol flights of the affected Polish aircraft for the time being. All further patrol flights would continue as planned, Frontex announced on Monday. A spokeswoman for the Polish Border Guard said the decision was made jointly.
NATO "pre-alarm" triggered: Russian fighter jet almost crashes Poland patrol
First reported on 7 May: An enormously dangerous incident occurred over the Black Sea on Friday. A Russian fighter jet flew several times at a Polish patrol plane in such a way that it almost crashed.
According to information from Warsaw, the Polish Let L-410 aircraft was on patrol for the EU border protection agency Frontex on Friday. During the mission over the Black Sea, it was then intercepted by a Russian Sukhoi Su-35. The incident occurred in international airspace within the area of operation designated by Romania, the Polish border guard said on Sunday.
Russian fighter jet attacks Polish plane with "aggressive maneuvers"
According to him, the Russian fighter carried out "aggressive and dangerous maneuvers". It flew three times towards the border guard aircraft and approached only about five meters: "The Russian fighter jet flew right under the nose of the SG aircraft and crossed its trajectory at a dangerous distance," the statement from Poland said. After the third approach, the Russian jet finally moved away.
This caused enormous turbulence for the Polish machine: "The crew of five Polish border guards lost control of the aircraft and lost altitude."
In the video: Just a few days ago, Russian jets intercepted over the Baltic Sea
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It was only because of their excellent skills and composure that the pilots were able to land safely, they say from Poland. There were five people on board – the two pilots and three border guards.
NATO "pre-alert" for fighter jets: "Russia's provocative actions"
The aircraft of the Polish border guard was on Friday on a Frontex routine flight, as the Romanian Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday. The incident occurred "in international airspace over the Black Sea", about 60 kilometers east of Romanian airspace. Romanian and Spanish planes were then put on "pre-alert" by NATO.
"This incident is further evidence of the provocative actions of the Russian Federation in the Black Sea," Bucharest explained. The European border agency Frontex did not initially respond to a request from the AFP news agency.
The Polish plane has been stationed in Romania since April 19 and is scheduled to remain there until May 17. It is part of a Frontex operation organised by Romania, in which Spain and Sweden are also involved.
In recent years, incidents involving aircraft from Russia and NATO countries have become more frequent, even before the start of the Ukraine war. Often the incidents occurred over the Baltic Sea, but also over the Black Sea and other areas. (rjs/dpa/afp)
