Lyce · Hybrid Watch
hw_a91c1fd6b0ce1da1
Russian fighter jet fired a missile near a British RAF surveillance plane over the Black Sea.
During a routine patrol, a UK RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint signals-intelligence plane was intercepted by two Russian Su-27 fighters. One of the Russian jets suddenly released a missile in the vicinity of the unarmed British aircraft. The missile discharge was initially attributed by Moscow to a “technical malfunction,” not a deliberate attack. No impact occurred, but the incident highlighted the extreme risk of miscalculation – Britain’s defence minister Ben Wallace noted it as a stark reminder of how dangerous such encounters can be. The UK lodged diplomatic protests, and subsequent patrols over the Black Sea saw RAF aircraft escorted by fighter cover. Even if unintentional, this near-shootdown of a NATO aircraft underscored Russia’s aggressive air posture in the Black Sea region and forced the UK to recalibrate air patrol protocols to prevent a similar incident from triggering a broader conflict.
Attribution
Official
Facts
No facts
Sources
-
- Role
- Discovery lead
- Publication
During a routine patrol, a UK RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint signals-intelligence plane was intercepted by two Russian Su-27 fighters. One of the Russian jets suddenly released a missile in the vicinity of the unarmed British aircraft. The missile discharge was initially attributed by Moscow to a “technical malfunction,” not a deliberate attack. No impact occurred, but the incident highlighted the extreme risk of miscalculation – Britain’s defence minister Ben Wallace noted it as a stark reminder of how dangerous such encounters can be. The UK lodged diplomatic protests, and subsequent patrols over the Black Sea saw RAF aircraft escorted by fighter cover. Even if unintentional, this near-shootdown of a NATO aircraft underscored Russia’s aggressive air posture in the Black Sea region and forced the UK to recalibrate air patrol protocols to prevent a similar incident from triggering a broader conflict.