"On June 24, 2021, by means of objective control of the Black Sea Fleet over the actions of NATO ships in the Black Sea, it was established that the frigate Evertsen of the Netherlands Navy, which was in neutral waters, changed its course and began to move in the direction of the Kerch Strait," the message says.
As noted, in order to prevent violation of the border of territorial waters, Su-30 fighters and Su-24 bombers were raised into the air, which flew at a safe distance near the ship.
After the flights, which, as the department emphasized, were carried out in accordance with international rules for the use of airspace, the frigate immediately changed its course from the Russian border and continued following its previous route.
Earlier, the Dutch Defense Ministry said that Russian fighters created an unsafe situation by flying too low over Evertsen.
The incident occurred the day after the Black Sea Fleet and the FSB border service stopped the violation of the Russian state border by the British destroyer Defender.
The ship, not responding to warnings, crossed the Russian state border and entered the territorial waters in the area of Cape Fiolent for 3 km.
The defense department called the incident a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and demanded that London conduct a thorough investigation.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described the incident as a gross provocation.