Russian Jets Intercept RAF Spy Plane in “Dangerous” Black Sea Encounter
Two Russian warplanes “repeatedly and dangerously” intercepted an unarmed RAF spy plane.
A Dangerous Intercept
The incident happened over the Black Sea last month. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed the encounter. A Russian Su-35 fighter approached the Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft. It came close enough to trigger the RAF plane’s emergency systems. This disabled its autopilot.
Close Calls at Six Meters
A Su-27 jet also carried out six passes in front of the RAF plane. It got as close as six meters (19ft) from its nose. Defense Secretary John Healey praised the “outstanding professionalism” of the RAF crew. He called the Russian flybys “unacceptable”. The MoD said this is the most dangerous Russian action since 2022. In that earlier incident, a “rogue” pilot fired a missile at a Rivet Joint over the Black Sea.
