Russian fighter jets fly ‘dangerously’ close to RAF spy plane over Black Sea

Two Russian fighter jets “repeatedly and dangerously” intercepted an RAF spy plane over the Black Sea, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said.

One of the jets flew so close to the British reconnaissance aircraft that its emergency systems were triggered, including disabling the autopilot.

The Ministry of Defense says the incident is one of the most dangerous clashes between Russian jets and British Rivet Joint planes since 2022, when a plane launched a missile over the Black Sea.

A Russian jet flew just twenty feet from the nose of the unarmed Rivet Link and made six more passes ahead.

“This incident is yet another example of dangerous and unacceptable behavior by Russian pilots towards an unarmed aircraft operating in international airspace,” Defense Secretary John Healey said after the incident.

“These actions create a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation.”

The MoD said Rivet Link was carrying out a routine flight in international airspace over the Black Sea as part of the UK’s work with its allies to “secure NATO’s eastern flank”.

The aircraft uses advanced sensors for electronic surveillance.

Mr Healey added: “I would like to recognize the outstanding professionalism and bravery of the RAF crews who continued their duties despite these dangerous actions.

“Let me be very clear: this incident will not deter the UK’s determination to defend NATO, our allies and our interests against Russian aggression.”

It comes after the Defense Secretary announced in April that the UK had been tracking three Russian submarines that had been circling critical submarine infrastructure in the North Atlantic for a month before withdrawing.

RAF crews flew more than 50 missions using P-8 Poseidon submarine hunting aircraft in the operation, which involved 500 British personnel and allied support.

A government minister admitted on Tuesday that sanctioned Russian ships have been entering British waters at least once a day since the government introduced measures to combat the shadow fleet in March. None of these ships were captured.

The National Security Strategy (Joint Committee) questioned members of the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on Monday, following up on a review in September that claimed the government was “too timid” in protecting undersea cables from state actors.

In March the Ministry of Defense announced new powers allowing armed forces to board sanctioned boats entering British waters as part of measures to combat the influx and power of Russia’s shadow fleet ships.

I In April, it reported that more than 120 sanctioned tankers had passed through British waters since the new powers were introduced.

A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said: “The UK disrupts and deters shadow fleet ships and their harmful maritime activities and we have challenged more than 700 suspected shadow fleet ships since October 2024.

“We will not comment on specific operational planning or make any ongoing comment, as this could jeopardize our ability to successfully take action against these ships and would only benefit our adversaries.

“Any target ship will be individually evaluated by law enforcement, military and energy market experts before an operation is conducted.”