On Wednesday evening a Russian fighter jet intercepted RAF warplanes as they were flying over international waters of the Black Sea.
Russia claimed that RAF Typhoon fighter jets were approaching Russian airspace and a Su-30 fighter jet was scrambled.
A statement issued by the Russian Ministry of Defence said, “On March 6, Russian means of airspace control over the Black Sea detected three air targets approaching the state border of the Russian Federation.
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“To prevent violation of the state border of the Russian Federation, a Su-30 fighter from the air defence forces on duty was scrambled into the air.”
The Russian warplane identified the “air targets” as two RAF Typhoon fighter jets and an RC-135 electronic reconnaissance warfare aircraft.
They added, “As the Russian fighter approached, foreign military aircraft made a turn from the state border of the Russian Federation.
“The Russian plane returned safely to its home airfield.
“There was no violation of the state border of the Russian Federation.
“The flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters, without crossing air routes or dangerously approaching aircraft of a foreign state.”
An British MoD spokesperson said, “A Royal Air Force Rivet Joint and two Typhoon aircraft carried out a safe and legal operation in international airspace over the Black Sea today on a pre-planned and notified flight path.
“At no time did the aircraft attempt to enter Russian airspace.”
