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Last month, two Russian fighter jets engaged in multiple hazardous interceptions of an unarmed RAF surveillance aircraft operating over the Black Sea, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). One of the Russian jets, a Su-35, approached the Rivet Joint plane closely enough to trigger emergency protocols onboard, which caused the aircraft’s autopilot system to be disabled. Meanwhile, a Su-27 jet performed six passes directly in front of the RAF plane, at times coming as near as six metres (19 feet) from the aircraft’s nose.
UK Defence Secretary Richard Healey strongly condemned the maneuvers, describing the situation as “another example of dangerous and unacceptable behaviour by Russian pilots, towards an unarmed aircraft operating in international airspace.” He emphasized the grave risks posed by such actions, warning that they could lead to accidents or even escalate tensions. Healey reaffirmed the UK’s resolve by stating, “This incident will not deter the UK’s commitment to defend Nato, our allies and our interests from Russian aggression.”
Following the incident, both the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office demanded a formal condemnation from the Russian embassy, highlighting the seriousness of the provocation. This confrontation is not isolated; it echoes a similar event from September 2022, when a Russian pilot attempted to shoot down an RAF Rivet Joint plane also over the Black Sea. In that episode, the Russian pilot launched two missiles — the first missile narrowly missed the target, despite earlier claims by Russia attributing the incident to a “technical malfunction.”
At that time, the UK MoD initially accepted Russia’s explanation, but subsequent disclosures from senior Western defence officials revealed that the missile was fired after a somewhat unclear order was given from a Russian ground control station. The RAF’s RC-135W Rivet Joint, operated by No 51 Squadron, is based in Lincolnshire and is equipped with sophisticated sensors that intercept and analyze signals across the electromagnetic spectrum. This technology provides vital real-time strategic and tactical intelligence, underscoring the plane’s importance in monitoring global security developments
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