Two Russian fighter jets intercepted a British Royal Air Force Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea [1].
The incident highlights escalating tensions between NATO and Moscow, as the UK Ministry of Defence said the Russian maneuvers were risky and unacceptable [1].
The intercept involved a Su-35 and a Su-27 fighter jet [1]. According to reports, the Russian aircraft flew within six meters [1] of the RAF plane. During the encounter, the Russian jets circled the surveillance aircraft six times [1].
These maneuvers had a direct impact on the operation of the British plane. The proximity of the Russian jets disabled the RAF aircraft's autopilot [2]. The UK Ministry of Defence said the actions were dangerous and unacceptable [1].
The Rivet Joint aircraft is used for electronic intelligence gathering. The sudden and close-quarters nature of the intercept increased the risk of a mid-air collision, a scenario that could have triggered a wider diplomatic or military crisis between the two nations [2].
Russian officials have not issued a formal response to the specific claims regarding the distance or the autopilot failure. However, the UK government said such aggressive flying violates international aviation safety standards [1].
“The Russian jets flew within six meters of the RAF plane.”
This encounter reflects the increasing volatility of the Black Sea airspace, where surveillance missions often lead to aggressive intercepts. By disabling the autopilot of a NATO-aligned aircraft, Russia demonstrates a willingness to engage in high-risk tactical intimidation that pushes the boundaries of international aviation norms.
