U.K. Spy Plane "Dangerously Intercepted" by Russian Military Jets Over Black Sea, Defense Ministry Says
Updated on: May 20, 2026 / 1:20 PM EDT / CBS/AFP
TL;DR
- Two Russian Su-35 and Su-27 jets "repeatedly and dangerously" intercepted a British surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea.
- One Russian jet flew as close as six meters to the British plane's nose, and another conducted six passes in front of it.
- One Russian Su-35 aircraft flew close enough to trigger emergency systems on the British Rivet Joint, disabling its autopilot.
- The U.K. defense ministry stated the incident is another example of "dangerous and unacceptable behaviour" by Russian pilots.
- The surveillance aircraft was operating in international airspace as part of the U.K.'s work with allies to secure NATO's Eastern Flank.
- The incident is the most serious involving a U.K. Rivet Joint since 2022, when a Russian aircraft fired a missile nearby.
- U.K. Defense Minister John Healey stated the incident would not deter the U.K.'s commitment to defend NATO and its interests.
- The U.K. formally complained to the Russian embassy about the air incident.
- Previous military incidents include the U.K. tracking Russian submarines and a Russian spy ship pointing lasers at RAF pilots.
- A defense review last year concluded that Russia poses an "immediate and pressing" threat to the U.K.