Russian Jets Repeatedly Intercepted British Surveillance Aircraft: UK Officials

British minister John Healey said the incidents ‘will not deter the UK’s commitment to defend NATO, our allies and our interests from Russian aggression.’

A Sukhoi SU-35 jet performs its demonstration flight during the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, on June 20, 2013. AP Photo/Francois Mori

British officials said that two Russian military aircraft “repeatedly and dangerously” intercepted an unarmed reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea last month, which a senior minister said risked escalating tensions.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a May 20 statement that an RAF Rivet Joint was intercepted by two Russian jets in separate incidents in April while conducting routine flights in international airspace over the Black Sea, in incidents that the department described as dangerous.