The Hellenic Navy frigate "Themistocles" was pulled out of the Turkish naval exercise "Mavi Balina" on Saturday and Sunday in protest over Athens Flight Information Region infringements and Greek air space violations by the Turkish air force.

The 'Themistocles' is part of the standing NATO maritime force in the Mediterranean, which is participating in the Turkish exercise.

During an aeronautical cooperation exercise forming part of "Mavi Balina", 10 Turkish military aircraft entered the Athens Flight Information Region without (ANA-MPA) submitting flight plans on Saturday.

A total of seven infringements within the Athens FIR were recorded, which turned into six violations of Greek national airspace east of Rhodes. Two of the Turkish aircraft were armed.