Russian aircraft intercepted by RAF jets after ‘repeatedly approaching’ Royal Navy ships in the Arctic
Britain stopped two Russian jets that ‘repeatedly approached’ the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier over the Norwegian Sea.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said two Bear F maritime patrol aircraft dropped ‘dozens of sonobuoys’ not far from the UK’s Carrier Strike Group on July 2.
A sonobuoy is a small, expendable floating device dropped into the sea from an aircraft or ship to detect and track submarines.
The Russian planes were intercepted and then driven away from the carrier by two British F-35 jets.
It is understood that the Russian aircraft did not respond when the operators tried to contact them to determine their intentions as they approached the aircraft carrier.
This development coincides with the UK assuming responsibility for NATO’s frontline rapid response force, dubbed the ‘vanguard’ of the alliance.
The elite unit is designed to deliver troops to global hotspots in a matter of days.
The carrier strike group is currently deployed in the High North under NATO command to enhance North Atlantic security.
Russian aircraft were intercepted by two British F-35 jets from HMS Prince of Wales and driven away from the carrier (pictured)
Two Bear F maritime patrol aircraft (left) dropped a number of sonobuoys not far from the UK’s Carrier Strike Group on July 2, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said.
The tense moment (pictured) came just weeks after Royal Marines captured the Russian-linked tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel
Since leaving Portsmouth in April, HMS Prince of Wales has served as the flagship of Operation Firecrest, with the strike group’s headquarters on board.
A Ministry of Defense spokesman said: ‘While operating in the Norwegian Sea as part of Operation FIRECREST, the UK’s Carrier Strike Group was repeatedly approached by a Russian ‘Bear-F’ maritime patrol aircraft.
‘Bear-F passed at low altitude and unduly close to HMS Prince of Wales, dropping a number of sonobuoys near the carrier.
‘This activity was unsafe and unprofessional. ‘The Russian aircraft was intercepted and two British F-35 jets from HMS Prince of Wales escorted it until it left the area.’
The latest encounter took place less than a month after the Royal Marines captured the Russian-linked tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel.
Commandos boarded the sanctioned oil tanker from a helicopter during the six-hour operation targeting Moscow’s ‘shadow fleet’.
The oil tanker was part of Russia’s 700-ship fleet and now serves as a ‘lifeline’, carrying 75% of its oil and helping finance the war against Ukraine.
The ship is believed to be held in Portland. The NCA said its team consisted of approximately 24 Georgian and Indian nationals who assisted in the investigation.
Helicopters intercepted Smyrtos in the first operation of its kind (pictured)
CMR Smyrtos (pictured) was sailing under a false Cameroonian flag, the Ministry of Defense said
Moscow’s shadow fleet reportedly consists of more than 1,000 aging tankers that illegally transport oil and other goods from Russia while flying other countries’ flags in a bid to evade sanctions imposed by the West.
Closing British waters to the shadow fleet aims to force Russian ships to use longer, more costly sea routes or risk being intercepted by Britain.
British forces have been involved in tracking shadow fleet ships for several years and have supported other countries’ seizure operations.
In May, Russian jets recklessly endangered a Royal Air Force spy plane as Vladimir Putin’s pilots made reckless passes over the Black Sea at more than 500 miles per hour.
One of the fighters flew within 20ft of the nose of RAF Rivet Link, ignoring every internationally accepted guidance designed to prevent the tragedy in the sky.
The slightest mistake would cost the lives of everyone on both sides.
Russian fighter pilots carried out six uncomfortably close passes in what became known as the ‘Crazy Ivan’ manoeuvre, designed to unsettle the enemy, causing the RAF’s autopilot system to disengage and trigger emergency procedures.
Former Defense Secretary John Healey condemned Russia’s actions as it continues the Kremlin’s campaign to intimidate British jets and warships as Mr Putin tests that country’s resolve.
More to come.
