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Russian jets repeatedly intercepted an RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint over the Black Sea, underscoring rising tensions between Russia and NATO amid the war in Ukraine.
A Russian Air Force jet (representational image/AFP)
Russian fighter jets were repeatedly scrambled to intercept a British Royal Air Force (RAF) surveillance aircraft flying over the Black Sea, according to reports, in the latest sign of growing tensions between Moscow and NATO countries.
The aircraft involved was an RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint, a reconnaissance plane used for intelligence gathering and electronic surveillance. The mission reportedly took place near areas of heightened military activity linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Russian military aircraft are said to have approached and shadowed the British plane multiple times during the operation. Such interceptions are common in contested airspace, with fighter jets often deployed to identify or monitor foreign military aircraft flying near national borders.
The incident highlights continued friction in the Black Sea region, which has become increasingly militarised since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Western surveillance flights over international airspace near Russia have intensified as NATO members monitor troop movements and broader security developments.
The UK Ministry of Defence has previously said intelligence-gathering flights are conducted in accordance with international law and are intended to support regional security and assess military risks.
Russia, meanwhile, has repeatedly criticised NATO reconnaissance missions near its territory, describing them as provocative and accusing Western countries of escalating tensions.
The latest episode comes amid renewed concerns over security in Europe and increasing encounters between Russian and NATO military assets in the air and at sea.
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