Black Sea (AFP) – Images from the British defence ministry show Russian jets flying close to a RAF Rivet Joint aircraft. The surveillance aircraft was taking part in a routine flight in international airspace as part of the UK’s work alongside allies to secure NATO’s Eastern Flank. “One Russian Su-35 aircraft flew close enough to trigger emergency systems on the Rivet Joint, including disabling the autopilot system,” the ministry said, adding that “in another dangerous intercept, a Russian Su-27 aircraft conducted six passes in front of the British aircraft.” The incident comes as relations between the two countries remain at a historic low over the Ukraine war and longstanding spying allegations.
