UK Defence Secretary John Healey has described as “dangerous and unacceptable” two incidents last month in which Russian jets flew perilously close to an unarmed RAF surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea. In one encounter, an Su-27 jet came within six metres of the British Rivet Joint spy plane, which was travelling at 500mph.
The Su-27 conducted six passes in front of the RAF plane, risking a collision that could have sparked a diplomatic crisis. On a separate occasion, an Su-35 flew so close that it triggered the British plane’s emergency systems, disabling the autopilot. The Rivet Joint, capable of electronic surveillance up to 150 miles, was on a routine NATO patrol in international airspace.
“This incident is another example of dangerous and unacceptable behaviour by Russian pilots, towards an unarmed aircraft operating in international airspace,” Healey said. “These actions create a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation.” The Ministry of Defence noted this was the most dangerous Russian action against a British Rivet Joint since a missile was fired over the Black Sea in 2022.
The incidents come amid heightened Russian military activity in Europe. Lithuania reported a drone violation of its airspace, while Russia’s UN ambassador claimed Ukraine planned to launch drones from Baltic states—a claim Latvia dismissed as “pure fiction”. Last month, two Russian frigates escorted oil tankers and a suspected arms shipment through the North Sea and Dover Strait, requiring a month-long Royal Navy surveillance patrol.
Healey praised the RAF crew’s professionalism, stating: “This incident will not deter the UK’s commitment to defend NATO, our allies and our interests from Russian aggression.”
