The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence reported that two Russian fighter jets conducted repeated and hazardous intercepts of a British surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea last month. According to a ministry statement, the Russian Su-35 and Su-27 jets approached the Royal Air Force (RAF) Rivet Joint intelligence aircraft while it was operating in international airspace.

Defence Minister John Healey condemned the actions, describing them as dangerous and unacceptable. Healey emphasized that such maneuvers posed a significant risk of accidents and had the potential to escalate tensions between the two countries. The statement noted that the closeness of the intercepts was particularly alarming, with one Su-27 jet reportedly flying as near as six metres (19 feet) from the British plane.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the conduct of military aircraft in contested regions and the risks associated with close encounters in shared international airspace. The UK maintains that its operations comply with international law and that these intercepts by Russian pilots undermine safety and stability in the area. Russian officials have not publicly commented on the specific incident.