A potentially catastrophic aviation incident was narrowly avoided when a Russian military aircraft came dangerously close to an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane carrying 172 people, according to official reports.
The Close Call Over International Waters
The alarming encounter occurred on Tuesday as the Azerbaijan Airlines Airbus A320 was en route from Moscow to Baku. Russian authorities confirmed that one of their Sukhoi Su-24 military jets passed within approximately 100 metres of the civilian aircraft while both were flying over the Black Sea.
This proximity falls far below international aviation safety standards, which typically require a minimum separation of several kilometres between aircraft to prevent collisions.
Official Response and Investigation
Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, acknowledged the incident but attempted to downplay its severity. In an official statement, they claimed that "at all stages of the flight, the aircraft were at a safe distance from each other."
However, aviation experts have expressed grave concerns about the incident. "A 100-metre separation between a military jet and a civilian airliner is unacceptably close," one aviation safety specialist told The Independent. "At cruising speeds, this leaves virtually no margin for error."
Growing Tensions in Black Sea Airspace
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increased military activity in the Black Sea region following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The area has become a hotspot for potential aviation conflicts, with multiple near-misses reported in recent months.
The Azerbaijan Airlines flight, carrying passengers from Moscow to Baku, completed its journey safely despite the terrifying encounter. Both Russian and Azerbaijani authorities are conducting investigations into the matter.
Aviation safety organisations have called for immediate action to prevent similar incidents, emphasising that civilian aircraft must be protected from military conflicts and exercises.
