Russian fighter jets flew within six metres of an RAF aircraft in the closest ever engagement between the countries’ air forces, it was confirmed today.
In a terrifying incident over the Black Sea, Vladimir Putin’s pilots ‘repeatedly and dangerously’ intercepted the British aircraft.
The RAF plane was a Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft which customarily carries a crew of 30 pilots, navigators and analysts.
A direct hit would have killed all those onboard. Remarkably, the Russians conducted six ‘danger close’ passes of the Rivet Joint.
The passes were so close that the Rivet Joint’s automatic pilot system was disabled, thereby triggering the plane’s emergency systems.
The date of the incident, caught on video, has not been disclosed but led to the Foreign Office formally protesting to the Russian Embassy in London.
Defence Secretary John Healey condemned Russia’s action, the latest in a campaign of intimidation of British planes and ships by the Kremlin.
A Russian Su-27 aircraft took part in the 'dangerous' close-range interception of an RAF jet over the Black Sea last month, conducting six passes in front of the British plane.
A Russian Su-35, filmed from an RAF Rivet Joint aircraft, flew close enough to trigger the emergency systems, including disabling the autopilot system.
The RAF's Rivet Joint aircraft, which filmed this Russian Su-35, was carrying out a routine flight in international airspace over the Black Sea and was unarmed.
The Russian jet, filmed by the RAF pilots, passed between 6 and 15 metres from the nose of the aircraft.
The attack by the Su-35 and Su-27 jets was the most dangerous example since 2022 when the Russians shot at a RAF surveillance plane, also over the Black Sea.
On that occasion the pilot fired two missiles at a RAF Rivet Joint after wrongly assuming he had permission from the Kremlin to engage.
While in the Black Sea in 2021 Russian coastguard ships opened fire in the vicinity of a Royal Navy warship when she entered Crimean territorial waters.
Russia having invaded Crimea, the Kremlin considered HMS Defender’s freedom of navigation patrol an invasion of its territory.
Responding to the most recent incident, Mr 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. I would like to pay tribute to the outstanding professionalism and bravery of the RAF crew who continued their mission despite these dangerous actions.
‘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.’
The Black Sea is situated to the south of Ukraine and bounds Europe and Asia. It bridges six countries, the others being Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia and Turkey.
NATO pilots flying from bases in southern Europe are accustomed to Russian interference when conducting intelligence gathering missions.
The Black Sea has also become a fiercely contest battleground in the Ukraine conflict.
Despite not having a navy, Ukraine has achieved remarkable successes against Russia’s esteemed Black Sea fleet by using subsurface long-range drones.
Much of the equipment aboard the RAF Rivet Joint is classified. The analysts seated behind the cockpit are able to use sensors to intercept Russia military communications.
Much of the intelligence generated by Rivet Joint is shared with allies. Ukraine has become a key security partner of the UK.
The Rivet Joint, or Boeing RC-135, entered service in 2014 and is expected to continue frontline operations until 2035.
According to the RAF website the aircraft provides 'world-class electronic surveillance, enhancing Intelligence, Surveillance Targeting and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and improving commanders’ situational awareness.’
It is powered by four turbofan engines generating 21,600lb of thrust at sea level. She has a maximum speed of 470 knots. The Ministry of Defence has not disclosed the speeds any of the aircraft involved in the incident.
Crucially, as Mr Healey referenced in his statement, Rivet Joint is not designed to defend itself. For this reason it often flies alongside fighter jets to provide protection.
The Russian tactic of terrorising and confusing enemies in such scenarios is known as ‘Crazy Ivan’. The term originated in the Cold War and initially referred to submarines.
Crazy Ivan was a tactic used by Russian submarine captains who turned unexpectedly to see if they were being followed.
Its usage has expanded to cover any reckless Russian behaviour at sea or in the air.
The latest incident comes amid continued Russian aggression and heightened military activity in Eastern Europe and the High North.
The intercepts came just days after the Defence Secretary exposed nefarious Russian submarine activity over critical underwater infrastructure in the North Atlantic, where British personnel, ships and aircraft were deployed alongside our Allies.