“The then unknown aircraft approached the Polish Nato area of responsibility from Kaliningrad,” according to Reuters’ translation of the ministry’s statement.

Kaliningrad is a Russian Baltic coast enclave located between Nato and European Union members Poland and Lithuania.

“After identification, it turned out to be three aircraft: a Russian IL-20M Coot-A that was escorted by two Su-27 Flankers. The Dutch F-35s escorted the formation from a distance and handed over the escort to Nato partners.”

The Il-20M Coot-A is Nato’s reporting name for the Russian Ilyushin Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft while the Su-27 Flankers are Nato’s reporting name for the Sukhoi Su-28 fighter aircraft.

Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for a comment.

The Netherlands’ defence ministry said that eight Dutch F-35s are stationed in Poland for February and March.