Two Russian fighter jets intercepted a British Royal Air Force (RAF) surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea last month, flying as close as six meters (19 feet) to the unarmed plane. The incident, described as 'dangerous' by UK officials, triggered emergency systems on the RAF Rivet Joint aircraft, including disabling its autopilot. The Russian Su-35 and Su-27 jets conducted multiple passes near the British plane, which was operating in international airspace as part of NATO's Eastern Flank security efforts.
The UK's Defense Ministry condemned the incident, calling it 'unacceptable behavior' that risks accidents and escalation. Defense Secretary John Healey stated that the interception would not deter the UK's commitment to defending NATO and its allies. The encounter is the most serious involving a UK Rivet Joint since 2022, when a Russian aircraft fired a missile near a British plane in the same region.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between the UK and Russia over the Ukraine war and longstanding spying allegations. Earlier this month, the Royal Navy tracked and 'saw off' three Russian submarines near vital undersea cables and pipelines in the Atlantic. The UK has accused Russia of conducting a covert operation in the area.