Chilling moment RAF jets intercepted by Russian fighters and forced into U-turn

21 October 2023 , 12:48

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Chilling moment RAF jets intercepted by Russian fighters and forced into U-turn

Russia has shared chilling footage in which it claims to have intercepted three British aircraft who approached Russian airspace - and forced them to u-turn.

British RC-135 “electronic warfare aircraft” are alleged to have approached Russian airspace near the Black Sea, prompting the Russian defences to scramble two Su-27 fighter jets. The footage, released by the Russian ministry of defence, shows chem trails from the supposed British jets - before two Russian jets approach. UK authorities strongly dispute Russia ’s claims.

It comes amid rising tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war. Russia's Defence Ministry said: “A pair of Su-27 fighters from the air defence duty force were flown to identify the air targets and prevent violation of the state border of the Russian Federation. The Russian fighter crews identified the aerial targets as an RC-135 radio-technical reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft and two British Air Force Typhoon multi role fighters.”

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The UK Ministry of Defence said: "This claim is completely false. At no time did the RAF aircraft attempt to enter Russian sovereign airspace.” They state that the aircraft performed a u-turn away from Russian territories as the Russian jets approached and did not aim to enter foreign territory.

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The boxes show the two RAF planes being chased by Russian fighter jets (MoD Russia/e2w)

Russian authorities say they acted “in strict compliance with international rules on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without crossing air routes or coming dangerously close to aircraft of a foreign state” with their interception. The state news agency says the jets were deployed to “prevent British planes from violating the state border over the Black Sea”, the Sun reported.

Tensions between Russia and UK heightened last month as a Russian fighter jet fired two missiles at a UK spy plane flying over the Black Sea. Ben Wallace said the RAF Rivet Joint was on a routine patrol of international airspace when it was chased by two Russian Su-27 jets.

One of the jets fired two missiles at the RAF plane, which Moscow blamed on a “technical malfunction”. Wallace said Britain suspended patrols temporarily to avoid “potentially dangerous engagement”.

Tensions between Russia and the West are still at a peak as Putin continues to wage his vicious war on Ukraine, with intense fighting across a wide front. The Kremlin is said to be upset with the US due to their supply of long range ATACMS weapons to Kyiv.

Alex Croft