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NATO Air Policing personnel have been placed on alert following an incident in which a Russian fighter jet approached a Polish Border Guard aircraft over the Black Sea, according to NATO Headquarters.
The Polish Border Guard Turbolet L-410 aircraft was aggressively and dangerously approached three times by a Russian fighter jet over the Black Sea on Friday.
NATO Headquarters informed Polish media on Monday that NATO Air Policing personnel had been placed on heightened alert due to the hazardous behavior of a Russian military aircraft near a Polish plane.
According to a report from Polish media, citing the Alliance’s Headquarters, NATO remains vigilant.
During the incident, the Polish crew reportedly temporarily lost control of the aircraft and altitude but landed successfully, according to Anna Michalska, a spokesperson for the Border Patrol.
The Polish aircraft has been stationed in Romania since April 19 as part of the JO MMO Black Sea 2023 mission, a Frontex (European Border and Coast Guard Agency) operation under Romanian command. It is the second operation in which Polish border police have participated this year. The first one took place in Italy earlier this year.
“Polish aircraft patrols were suspended until further notice. Other maritime patrols continue to operate according to schedule,” Frontex reported on its website.
Michalska stated that the incident had been reported to the State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation.
Michalska added that additional decisions would be made after a comprehensive investigation of the incident.
The dangerous incident in which a Russian fighter jet aggressively approached a Polish Border Guard aircraft over the Black Sea has prompted NATO Air Policing personnel to be placed on alert. The Polish crew reportedly lost control of the aircraft and altitude temporarily but landed safely. Polish media reported that NATO remains vigilant, and the incident has been reported to the State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation. Further decisions will be made after a thorough investigation.
