The UK government says two Russian fighter jets repeatedly and “dangerously” intercepted a Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea in an incident that occurred last month. British officials say the encounter involved one jet flying extremely close to the RAF aircraft—reported distances vary by outlet, including figures of about six metres, 19 feet, and other measurements described as metres from the aircraft’s nose. The UK characterizes the actions as unsafe and “unacceptable,” and states the incident raised the risk of escalation between NATO and Russia amid already tense relations linked to the war in Ukraine. Some reports also describe the aircraft experiencing effects such as emergency or autopilot-related responses during the close approach, depending on the account. Britain warns that such intercepts could increase the risk of accidents and further confrontation. Separately, one outlet reports publicly available flight-tracking data showing that RAF Rivet Joint surveillance flights over the region have not occurred since April 21, after the period in which the incident is said to have taken place.
UK says Russian jets repeatedly intercepted RAF surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea
The UK government says two Russian fighter jets repeatedly and “dangerously” intercepted a Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea in an incident that occurred last month. British off...
- The UK says two Russian fighter jets repeatedly intercepted an RAF surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea.
- British officials describe the interceptions as “dangerous” and unsafe.
- Reports cite very close proximity between the aircraft, with distances including around six metres and about 19 feet.
- The UK says the incident increases the risk of escalation between NATO and Russia.
- Some reporting indicates RAF surveillance flights over the region stopped after late April 2024.
Publicly available flight-tracking data reveals that no RAF Rivet Joint Surveillance aircraft have flown over the region since April 21.
3 months agoPublicly available flight-tracking data reveals that no RAF Rivet Joint Surveillance aircraft have flown over the region since April 21.
3 months agoTwo Russian jets have intercepted a UK Royal Air Force plane over the Black Sea, triggering its emergency systems.
3 months agoRussian fighter jets "repeatedly and dangerously" intercepted an unarmed RAF spy plane over the Black Sea, disabling its autopilot and coming within metres of its nose. The Ministry of Defence condemned the "unacceptable behaviour" as the most dangerous encounter since 2022, risking accidents and escalation.
3 months agoRussian fighter jets have repeatedly intercepted a British surveillance plane over the Black Sea in a series of “dangerous” flybys, it has emerged.
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