Russia releases video of Su-27 fighter jet encountering British reconnaissance aircraft

Russia released a video showing a Su-27 fighter jet following a group of British reconnaissance planes and fighter jets over the Black Sea until the planes changed course.

The Russian Defense Ministry today released video taken from the cockpit of a Su-27 fighter jet, showing an encounter with a formation of British aircraft including an RC-135 electronic reconnaissance aircraft and two Typhoon multirole fighters over the Black Sea on October 19.

In the video, the Russian Su-27 maintains a safe distance and does not make any maneuvers near the British RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft. The rear view shows four vapor trails, apparently from three British aircraft and one Russian fighter.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that when approaching Russian airspace, the British reconnaissance aircraft and escort fighters changed course, and the Su-27 fighters returned to base.

Russia releases video of fighter jet forcing British reconnaissance plane to turn around — A squadron of Russian Su-27s followed British aircraft over the Black Sea on October 19. Video: *Zvezda*

"The foreign aircraft turned 180 degrees and stayed away from the Russian border when the Su-27 squadron approached. All aircraft returned to base safely, and no border violations occurred. The Su-27 squadron strictly followed international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters, did not cross the flight path and did not approach dangerously close to foreign aircraft," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

British officials have not commented on the information.

Russia has repeatedly scrambled fighter jets to intercept foreign aircraft in waters near its borders, including intercepting British reconnaissance aircraft and fighter jets over the Black Sea in late June. A US MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed in the Black Sea in March after being intercepted by a Russian Su-27 fighter jet and dumping fuel.

Location Black Sea. Graphic: Guardian — Location Black Sea. Graphic: *Guardian*

A classified US document leaked earlier this year said that a Russian Su-27 fighter jet nearly shot down a British RC-135 off the coast of Crimea on September 29, 2022. British defense officials later confirmed that the Russian plane had "launched a missile," but did not describe the incident as a "near miss," instead saying that the missile was fired due to a "technical malfunction."

Vu Anh (According to Zvezda, Reuters )

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