The UK Ministry of Defence says Russian fighter jets flew dangerously close to a British RAF spy aircraft over the Black Sea, in an incident that involved the disabling of the aircraft’s autopilot. According to the UK account, one Russian jet makes multiple passes directly in front of the RAF plane, approaching to within about six metres of the aircraft’s nose. The UK says the manoeuvres disrupted the spy plane’s autopilot system. After the autopilot is disabled, the UK states the Russian jets continue operating in close proximity, including circling around the RAF aircraft multiple times before departing. The reports describe the incident as occurring during routine operations involving the RAF aircraft in the region. Both outlets attribute the details to the UK Ministry of Defence and characterize the distance between the aircraft as extremely close and unsafe. The accounts reflect the UK’s description of what occurred; they do not include a response or verification from Russia or from other independent investigators in the available reporting.