A missile was launched from a Russian plane close to an unarmed RAF aircraft on a routine patrol over the Black Sea, the defence secretary has mentioned.
Ben Wallace mentioned it occurred on 29 September and that Russia has acknowledged the incident occurred in worldwide airspace.
The RAF RC-135 plane was on routine patrol over the Black Sea when it was “shadowed” by two Russian armed SU-27 fighter jets.
Mr Wallace mentioned that whereas it isn’t uncommon for plane to be shadowed on this approach, “during that interaction however, it transpired that one of the SU-27 aircraft released a missile in the vicinity of the RAF Rivet Joint beyond visual range”.
He described the incident as “potentially dangerous” however mentioned it was not deemed a “deliberate escalation”.
Russia mentioned the incident was a “technical malfunction”.
The British defence secretary mentioned: “Our analysis would concur it was a malfunction.”
“The total time of the interaction between the Russian aircraft and the Rivet Joint was approximately 90 minutes,” he mentioned.
“The patrol completed and the aircraft returned to base.”
UK patrols over the Black Sea had been initially suspended, however have now resumed and are escorted by fighter plane, Mr Wallace added.
Source: information.sky.com”