Russian Su-35 and Su-27 aircraft repeatedly intercepted an RAF Rivet Joint reconnaissance plane during a routine surveillance mission over international airspace in the Black Sea. The encounters were described as unsafe and unprofessional. At one point, a Russian fighter flew within six metres of the British aircraft’s nose, triggering onboard emergency systems and temporarily disengaging the plane’s autopilot. Video and images released by the Ministry of Defence showed repeated dangerous manoeuvring by the Russian jets. The UK Government formally protested to Moscow and representatives from the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office condemned the pilots at the Russian Embassy. The RAF crew remained calm and professional and completed the planned flight.
"Russian fighter aircraft repeatedly flew within metres of a British reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea in what ministers described as one of the most dangerous aerial confrontations involving the RAF since the start of the war in Ukraine. At one point during the incident, a Russian fighter flew so close to the British aircraft that it triggered emergency systems and temporarily disengaged the plane's autopilot, according to the Ministry of Defence."
"The aircraft targeted by the Russian jets was an RAF Rivet Joint reconnaissance plane operating as part of NATO's efforts to monitor activity along the alliance's eastern flank. According to the MoD, Russian Sukhoi Su-35 and Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft repeatedly intercepted the British plane in an "unsafe and unprofessional" manner. One Su-27 fighter reportedly made six passes directly in front of the RAF aircraft, coming within just six metres of its nose."
"The MoD released video footage and images showing the Russian fighters repeatedly manoeuvring dangerously close to the British aircraft during the encounter. An MoD spokesman said: "Despite the dangerous Russian actions, the RAF crew remained calm and professional throughout and completed their planned flight." "This week, representatives from the UK Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office démarched the Russian Embassy to condemn the pilots' dangerous and unacceptable behaviour.""
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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