A Russian jet “released a missile” near a British RC-135 surveillance aircraft in international airspace over the Black Sea on September 29, British defence minister Ben Wallace has confirmed.
Wallace told parliament Britain had previously suspended patrols following the incident and expressed concerns to Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Russia, astonishingly, said it was a “technical malfunction”, and Wallace said Britain has now resumed patrols. However, the patrols now have fighter aircraft escorts.
According to the minister, the RAF RC-135 aircraft was on routine patrol when it was “shadowed” by two Russian SU-27 fighter jets, one of which released a missile in the vicinity of the British plane.
The minister said the incident was not deemed a “deliberate escalation,” but concerns were expressed in a letter to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu.
“In my letter, I made clear the aircraft was unarmed, in international airspace, and following a pre-notified flight path,” he said.
source nypost.com
