Russian Su-35 Disables RAF Spy Plane Autopilot Over Black Sea Last Month
An unarmed Royal Air Force (RAF) Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft was subjected to "repeatedly and dangerously" close intercepts by two Russian warplanes over the Black Sea last month, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has disclosed.
During the incident, a Russian Su-35 fighter approached the RAF Rivet Joint to such proximity that its emergency systems were activated, resulting in the disabling of the aircraft's autopilot. Additionally, a Su-27 jet conducted six passes directly in front of the RAF plane, at one point closing to within six metres of its nose.
Defence Secretary John Healey commended the "outstanding professionalism" of the RAF crew, condemning the "unacceptable" Russian flybys. The MoD characterises this as the most perilous Russian action since 2022, when a Russian pilot reportedly fired a missile at a Rivet Joint over the Black Sea. The MoD stated that the Rivet Joint was conducting a routine international flight to support the security of NATO's eastern flank.
Mr Healey stated, "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." He further affirmed, "This incident will not deter the UK's commitment to defend NATO, our allies and our interests from Russian aggression."
Both the MoD and the Foreign Office have summoned representatives from the Russian embassy to condemn the incident. This latest encounter follows increased Russian activity in the region, including recent submarine movements near critical underwater British infrastructure in the North Sea. The 2022 Black Sea incident, which Russia initially attributed to a "technical malfunction," involved a Russian pilot firing two missiles at an RAF Rivet Joint, with the first missile reportedly missing its target rather than malfunctioning as originally claimed.
