Russian aviation fires missile near British RAF reconnaissance aircraft in the Black Sea – Wallace
A Russian aircraft fired a missile near a British aircraft patrolling in international airspace over the Black Sea. It happened on September 29.
This was announced by British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace during a speech in the House of Commons.
According to the Minister, following the incident, the UK decided to suspend patrols involving an unarmed RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft when it was intercepted by two Russian Su-27 fighters.
– On 29 September, an unarmed RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft flying a routine patrol over the Black Sea encountered two armed Russian Su-27 fighter jets. It is not unusual for an aircraft to be followed and this day was no exception.
The minister added that one of the Russian jets fired a missile out of range of the RAF aircraft.
– The total interaction time of the Russian aircraft with River Joint was approximately 90 minutes.
Wallace said he wrote to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu saying it was “potentially dangerous,” expressing his concern about the incident.
On October 10, Moscow responded, assuring that it had conducted an investigation and called the missile launch an alleged “technical failure.” Russia acknowledged that the incident occurred in international airspace.
According to Wallace, Britain has now resumed patrols, but accompanied by fighter jets.
Source: UK House of Commons
