UK Defence Secretary John Healey has condemned as 'dangerous and unacceptable' an incident in which a Russian Su-27 jet flew within six metres of an unarmed RAF Rivet Joint spy plane over the Black Sea in mid-April. The Russian aircraft conducted six passes close to the British plane, which was travelling at 500mph, risking a collision that could have sparked a diplomatic crisis.
In a separate incident also in mid-April, a Russian Su-35 jet flew so close to the same RAF aircraft that it triggered emergency systems, including disabling the autopilot. The Rivet Joint, which carries a crew of up to 30 and is capable of electronic surveillance at ranges of about 150 miles, was on a Nato patrol mission over international airspace.
Healey said: 'This incident is another example of dangerous and unacceptable behaviour by Russian pilots, towards an unarmed aircraft operating in international airspace. These actions create a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation.' The Ministry of Defence described it as the most dangerous Russian action against a British Rivet Joint since a missile was fired over the Black Sea in 2022.
The near miss comes amid heightened Russian military activity in Europe. Lithuania reported a drone violation of its airspace, and Russia's UN ambassador claimed, without evidence, that Ukraine planned to launch drones from Baltic states. Latvia dismissed the claim 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 also revealed that three Russian submarines loitered over critical undersea infrastructure in the North Atlantic for a month before departing.
Healey paid tribute to the RAF crew's professionalism and bravery, adding: 'Let me be very clear: This incident will not deter the UK's commitment to defend Nato, our allies and our interests from Russian aggression.'
