A handout picture released by UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD) in London on May 20, 2026 shows Image of a Russian Su-35, seen here alongside an RAF Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea in April 2026 [AFP]By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and ReutersPublished On 20 May 202620 May 2026
Two Russian jets have “repeatedly and dangerously” intercepted a British Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft in April over the Black Sea, according to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence.
The Rivet Joint aircraft was unarmed and carrying out routine surveillance in international airspace over the Black Sea, securing NATO’s eastern flank, the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. There was no immediate reaction from Russia.
“This incident is another example of dangerous and unacceptable behaviour by Russian pilots, towards an unarmed aircraft operating in international airspace,” Defence Minister John Healey said in the statement. “These actions create a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation,” he added.
It was repeatedly intercepted by a Russian Su-35 aircraft, which flew close enough to trigger emergency systems on the British plane, it said. A Russian Su-27 conducted six passes, flying six metres (less than 20 feet) from the Rivet Joint’s nose.
Defence and foreign ministry officials this week formally complained to the Russian embassy about the air incident, Wednesday’s statement added.
It said the incident was the most dangerous Russian action against a UK surveillance plane since 2022, when a nearby Russian plane released a missile over the Black Sea, in what Moscow later called a technical malfunction.
The intercepts came days after Healey announced that the Royal Navy had tracked and “seen off” three Russian submarines on an alleged monthlong “covert operation” in Atlantic waters “north of the UK” near vital undersea cables and pipelines.
Healey made details of the monitoring operation public on April 9.
“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,” he warned on Wednesday.
The UK monitoring mission involved about 500 personnel and saw UK aircraft fly more than 450 hours while a navy frigate covered several thousand nautical miles.
A defence review last year concluded that Russia poses an “immediate and pressing” threat to the nation.
