The Russian defense ministry announced on Thursday that two Su-27 fighter jets were deployed to intercept three British military aircraft attempting to breach Russian airspace over the Black Sea.
The Russian statement confirmed the dispatch of fighters to counter “three air targets,” specifically noting an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and two Typhoon fighter planes.
According to the ministry, the foreign military aircraft altered their course as the Russian fighters approached, thereby avoiding any violation of the Russian Federation’s border.
The exact proximity of the planes to each other remains uncertain. With the conflict between Russia and Ukraine entering its 20th month, the Black Sea has emerged as a critical theater. President Vladimir Putin’s recent directive involved deploying Russian planes equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles for patrols over the Black Sea.
Prior instances have seen Russia scramble fighter jets to intercept military planes from Norway, another NATO member, over the Barents Sea.
