An intelligence aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force narrowly avoided a collision with Russian fighter jets over the Black Sea, in what the UK described as a “dangerous” confrontation involving multiple close passes by armed aircraft. The incident, which took place in international airspace, has since prompted a formal diplomatic protest from the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to the Russian embassy.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence (Ministry of Defence), the RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft was conducting a routine surveillance mission when Russian Su-35 and Su-27 fighter jets approached at extremely close range. The reconnaissance aircraft, a RC-135W Rivet Joint equipped with advanced sensors for intercepting communications, reportedly had its emergency systems triggered during the encounter, temporarily disabling its autopilot functions.
Officials stated that one Russian aircraft came within approximately six metres of the Rivet Joint’s nose, while another conducted repeated close-range passes in what the UK described as unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvres. The Ministry of Defence said the RAF crew remained calm throughout the incident and completed their mission despite the high-risk situation, underscoring ongoing surveillance operations along NATO’s eastern perimeter.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey condemned the incident, calling it “dangerous and unacceptable behaviour” that risked unintended escalation between military forces operating in proximity. He emphasized that such actions by Russian pilots created a serious risk of accident in already tense international airspace and reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting NATO allies.
The confrontation is being described as the most serious encounter involving RAF reconnaissance aircraft since 2022, when a Russian pilot allegedly attempted to engage a similar aircraft under disputed circumstances. While some RAF sources downplayed the latest incident as poor airmanship rather than an immediate threat, officials acknowledged the close proximity of the manoeuvres and the activation of onboard safety systems.
The episode comes amid broader tensions between Western militaries and Russia, particularly in regions bordering NATO airspace. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has increased surveillance and reconnaissance activity in response to heightened military operations across Eastern Europe and the wider Black Sea region.
Military analysts have also pointed to a growing pattern of maritime and aerial encounters involving Russian forces, including submarine activity in the North Atlantic and increased air patrols near allied airspace. These developments have intensified concerns among European defence officials about potential miscalculations that could escalate into broader conflict.
The incident also unfolds against a politically sensitive backdrop in the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to consider increased defence spending amid calls from security advisers to strengthen military readiness. Meanwhile, broader NATO discussions continue over deterrence strategy, force readiness, and the risks posed by sustained Russian military pressure along multiple fronts.
