Two Russian Su-34 fighters dangerously approached a British reconnaissance aircraft, presumably an RC-135 Rivet Joint, several times during a flight over the Black Sea. The incident occurred in international airspace and, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, involved risky maneuvers by Russian pilots.
The British military department reported that Russian aircraft repeatedly approached the reconnaissance aircraft at close range and performed actions that could pose a threat to the crew's safety. London considers such interceptions aggressive and emphasizes that the flight was conducted in accordance with international rules.
The British RC-135 Rivet Joint is used for electronic intelligence and data collection on radar operations, communication systems, and military activity. Aircraft of this type regularly perform missions near Russia's borders and in the Black Sea.
The UK Ministry of Defence noted that such actions increase the risk of air incidents and can lead to unpredictable consequences. The Russian side has not yet officially commented on the situation.