Two Russian fighter jets approached a British Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft during a mission over the Black Sea. Officials reported that the encounter involved unsafe flying behavior that created a high risk of collision and escalation.
Dangerous Close Approaches by Russian Jets
A Russian Su 35 fighter moved very close to the RAF Rivet Joint aircraft. The approach was so near that it triggered emergency systems on the British plane and disrupted its automated control system.
In a separate action, a Russian Su 27 jet carried out six repeated passes in front of the RAF aircraft. At one point, it came within around six meters of the aircraft nose, which raised serious safety concerns for the crew.
Response From UK Defence Officials
The UK Defence Secretary praised the RAF crew for staying calm and handling the situation professionally under pressure. He stated that the actions of the Russian pilots were unsafe and unacceptable.
Officials stressed that the incident increased the risk of accidental conflict in an already tense region. They also confirmed that the aircraft was on a standard mission to support NATO monitoring activities along its eastern area.
Growing Tensions in the Region
Authorities highlighted that this is part of a wider pattern of increased military activity in the region. The Ministry of Defence noted that similar incidents have happened before, including a serious encounter in 2022 involving a missile fired near a British surveillance aircraft over the same region.
About the RAF Rivet Joint Aircraft
The RAF Rivet Joint is a surveillance aircraft used to collect electronic signals and intelligence. It helps track communication signals and supports military planning by providing situational awareness to allied forces.
