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Russian fighter jet ‘released missile’ near RAF plane over Black Sea

20 October 2022 15:44 (UTC +04:00)

The UK defense secretary has revealed that a Russian fighter jet recently “released a missile” in the vicinity of a British aircraft over the Black Sea, APA's British bureau reports citing The Guardian.

Ben Wallace told the Commons the incident occurred in “international airspace over the Black Sea” on 29 September, adding that an “unarmed RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint” plane was “interacted with” by two Russian Su-27s, one of which “released a missile in the vicinity of the RAF Rivet Joint beyond visual range.”

Wallace told the Commons that Russia blamed the missile release on a “technical malfunction.”

“The patrol completed, and the aircraft returned to its base,” he said. “In light of this potentially dangerous engagement, I have communicated my concerns directly to my Russian counterpart, Defence Minister [Sergei] Shoigu, and the chief of defense staff in Moscow.”

He added: “In my letter, I made clear the aircraft was unarmed, in international airspace, and following a pre-notified flight path. I felt it was prudent to suspend these patrols until a response was received by the Russian state.

“The reply by the Russian minister of defense on October 10 stated they had conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the incident and stated it was a technical malfunction of the Su-27 fighter. They also acknowledge that the incident took place in international airspace.”

He concluded his report into the incident over the Black Sea by telling the Commons: “The UK Ministry of Defence has shared this information with allies and, after consultation, I have restarted routine patrols, but this time escorted by fighter aircraft.

“Everything we do is considered calibrated with regard to the ongoing conflict in the region and in accordance with international law.

“We welcome Russia’s acknowledgment this was in international airspace, and the UK has conducted regular sorties with the RAF Rivet Joint in international airspace over the Black Sea since 2019, and we will continue to do so.”