RAF spy plane forced into evasive manoeuvres by Russian jets over Black Sea
A Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft was subjected to multiple high-risk intercepts by Russian warplanes last month, forcing pilots into urgent evasive action. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the incident but declined to specify the exact date or location.
A Royal Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint spy plane was forced into evasive manoeuvres last month after two Russian Su-34 fighter jets conducted multiple "dangerously close" intercepts over the Black Sea. The incident, confirmed by the UK Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, marks one of the most aggressive Russian intercepts of allied aircraft in the region this year.
According to defence sources, the Russian pilots flew erratically around the unarmed RAF plane, at one point executing a barrel roll directly above it. The intercepts occurred during a routine surveillance mission, though the MoD did not disclose whether the aircraft was monitoring Russian military activity.
Key Points
- ⚠️ Russian Su-34 jets intercepted an unarmed RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint spy plane
- 🚨 Pilots performed emergency manoeuvres after four close passes within 50 metres
- ⏱️ Incident took place last month; UK government has not specified exact date
Defence analysts warn that such intercepts are increasingly common as tensions rise in the Black Sea. In March, a US Air Force RC-135 was similarly intercepted by Russian jets near Ukraine. The RAF aircraft is designed for electronic intelligence gathering and poses no offensive threat.
📋 By The Numbers
- 2 — Number of Russian Su-34 jets involved in the intercept
- 50 metres — Minimum distance maintained during dangerous passes
- RC-135 Rivet Joint — Designation of the RAF surveillance aircraft
Russia’s defence ministry has not responded to requests for comment, but Moscow has previously defended such intercepts as necessary to protect its airspace. NATO sources say the frequency of these incidents has doubled since the start of the Ukraine war, with 12 reported intercepts involving allied aircraft in 2024 alone.
💡 Pro Tip
Pilots conducting surveillance near contested airspace should file flight plans with NATO early warning systems to reduce misidentification risks.
The UK government has lodged a formal protest with Russia through diplomatic channels, but Kremlin officials have dismissed the incident as routine. Meanwhile, RAF crews are undergoing additional training to handle high-risk intercepts, including simulated Russian flight patterns.
| Incident | RAF Response | Russian Action |
|---|---|---|
| March 2024 intercept | Evasive manoeuvres | Barrel roll over aircraft |
| 2023 Black Sea intercept | Standard procedure | Close formation flying |
Security experts warn that repeated close intercepts increase the risk of mid-air collisions, a concern underscored by a 2023 near-miss involving a Canadian CP-140 Aurora and a Russian fighter jet over the Baltic Sea. The RAF has not disclosed whether the crew considered the intercepts hostile but described them as "unsafe and unprofessional."
- 🔍 Russian intercepts have doubled since the Ukraine invasion began
- ⚠️ RAF crews are now trained to respond to barrel rolls and erratic flight patterns
- 📊 NATO recorded 12 allied aircraft intercepts in 2024, up from six in 2023
Defence officials confirm that the RC-135 Rivet Joint was operating in international airspace when intercepted. The aircraft, operated by 51 Squadron based at RAF Waddington, is equipped with advanced sensors to monitor electronic signals and communications. Its presence in the Black Sea is likely linked to tracking Russian military movements near Ukraine.