The Ministry of Defence has released footage showing Russian jets flying dangerously close to an RAF spy plane last month. The incident, which occurred over the Black Sea, involved a Russian Su-35 jet approaching the Rivet Joint aircraft so closely that it triggered the plane's emergency collision avoidance systems.
Details of the Incident
In the released video, a Russian Su-35 is seen flying within metres of the RAF spy plane. The close encounter forced the Rivet Joint's crew to take evasive action. In a separate incident, an Su-27 conducted six passes in front of the same aircraft, flying dangerously close to its nose and risking a mid-air collision.
Official Response
The Ministry of Defence condemned the actions of the Russian pilots, describing them as dangerous and unprofessional. The UK government has raised the issue with Russian authorities and NATO allies, emphasizing the need for safe conduct in international airspace.
These incidents highlight ongoing tensions between Russia and NATO, with similar close encounters occurring in recent years. The Rivet Joint aircraft, a signals intelligence platform, was conducting routine surveillance in international airspace at the time.
