Russia has claimed it scrambled a fighter jet after three RAF aircraft approached its air space over the Black Sea in a stark illustration of mounting tensions with the West.
State-controlled Russian news agency VK quoted a defence ministry spokesman as saying: “On March 6, Russian means of airspace control over the Black Sea detected three air targets approaching the State border of the Russian Federation.
“To prevent violation of the State Border of the Russian Federation, a Su-30 fighter from the air defense forces on duty was scrambled into the air.”
The Russian fighter crew had identified the “air targets” as an RC-135 electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft and two RAF Typhoon multi-role fighters, the spokesman said.
He 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.”
Express.co.uk has contacted the UK Ministry of Defence for details.
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