The UK defence secretary, John Healey, has described two incidents in which Russian jets flew dangerously close to an unarmed RAF surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea as 'dangerous and unacceptable'. In one instance, an Su-27 fighter came within six metres of the Rivet Joint spy plane as it flew at 500mph, conducting six passes close to its nose in mid April.
A second incident, also in mid April, involved a Russian Su-35 jet that came so close to the British plane that it triggered emergency systems, including disabling the autopilot. The Rivet Joint, which carries a crew of up to 30, was conducting a surveillance mission over international airspace as part of a Nato patrol.
The Ministry of Defence said the near miss was the most dangerous Russian action against a British Rivet Joint since a missile was fired by a Russian aircraft over the Black Sea in 2022. Healey praised the 'outstanding professionalism and bravery' of the RAF crew who continued their mission despite the risks.
The incidents come amid a broader increase in Russian military activity near Europe. Earlier this week, a drone violated Lithuanian airspace, prompting politicians to shelter underground and temporarily suspending air traffic at Vilnius airport. Russia's ambassador to the UN also made unsubstantiated claims about Ukraine planning drone launches from Baltic states.
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. Additionally, three Russian submarines were tracked loitering over critical undersea infrastructure in the North Atlantic. Healey stated that the dangerous behaviour would not deter the UK's commitment to defend Nato and its interests.
