UK reports repeated risky Russian intercepts of RAF aircraft over Black Sea

Two Russian fighter jets repeatedly and dangerously intercepted a British Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea last month, according to the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence. Officials described the mid-air incidents as creating a serious risk of escalation.

The unarmed RAF Rivet Joint aircraft was conducting a routine surveillance mission in international airspace as part of NATO operations when it was intercepted on two occasions in mid-April. In one instance, a Russian Su-35 jet flew sufficiently close to the British plane to trigger its emergency systems, including disabling the autopilot. In a separate intercept, a Russian Su-27 fighter conducted six passes in front of the Rivet Joint, at one point flying as close as six meters from its nose.

Defence Secretary John Healey condemned the actions as dangerous and unacceptable, stating they created a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation. He praised the professionalism of the RAF crew, who completed their planned flight. The Ministry of Defence said this was the most dangerous Russian action against a UK surveillance plane since 2022, when a Russian aircraft released a missile over the Black...