Russian aircraft fired a MISSILE near British plane over the Black Sea
Russian jet fired a MISSILE near British plane patrolling over the Black Sea: Two of Putin’s SU-27s ‘interacted’ with RAF aircraft, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace reveals
- Two Russian Su-27 fighters ‘interacted’ with British spy plane over Black Sea
- One fighter fired a missile ‘in the vicinity’ of the RAF plane, Ben Wallace said
- Sergei Shoigu, Putin’s defence minister, blamed ‘malfunction’ for the incident
- Near-miss will do little to calm nerves that Ukraine war could spiral into WW3
A Russian fighter jet accidentally fired a missile ‘in the vicinity’ of a British spy plane above the Black Sea, the defence secretary has revealed.
Ben Wallace said two Russian Su-27 fighters had ‘interacted’ with an RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint spy plane which was on patrol above international waters to the south of Crimea on September 29.
During the interaction one fighter ‘released a missile’ that Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu later blamed on a technical malfunction, Mr Wallace added.
Britain does not believe the move was a deliberate escalation, Mr Wallace said, but it none-the-less underlines just how quickly the Ukraine war could spiral into World War Three.
Ben Wallace revealed to parliament today that a Russian Su-27 fighter jet had fired a missile ‘in the vicinity’ of a British RC-135 Rivet Joint on September 29
Detailing what happened between the Russian fighter and the UK plane, Mr Wallace said: ‘I would also like to share with the House details of a recent incident which occurred in international airspace over the Black Sea.
‘On September 29 an unarmed RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint, a civilian-style aircraft on routine patrol over the Black Sea was interacted with by two Russian armed SU-27 fighter aircraft. It is not unusual for aircraft to be shadowed and this day was no different.
‘During that interaction however, it transpired that one of the SU-27 aircraft released a missile in the vicinity of the RAF Rivet Joint beyond visual range.
‘The total time of the interaction between the Russian aircraft and the Rivet Joint was approximately 90 minutes.
‘The patrol completed and the aircraft returned to base.’
Mr Wallace told the Commons that Russia blamed the missile release on a ‘technical malfunction’.
‘The patrol completed and the aircraft returned to its base,’ he said. ‘In light of this potentially dangerous engagement, I have communicated my concerns directly to my Russian counterpart, Defence Minister (Sergei) Shoigu, and the chief of defence staff in Moscow.’
The spy plane, which was visible on flight tracking radar, had been taking part in a 10-hour flight near Ukraine when the incident took place
Mr Wallace said the ‘interaction’ (seen on flight tracking radar) lasted around 90 minutes and Russia blamed it on a technical malfunction
He added: ‘In my letter I made clear the aircraft was unarmed, in international airspace, and following a pre-notified flight path.
‘I felt it was prudent to suspend these patrols until a response was received by the Russian state.
‘The reply by the Russian minister of defence on October 10 stated they have conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the incident and stated it was a technical malfunction of the SU-27 fighter.
‘They also acknowledge that the incident took place in international airspace.’
Mr Wallace concluded his report by telling the Commons: ‘The UK Ministry of Defence has shared this information with allies and, after consultation, I have restarted routine patrols, but this time escorted by fighter aircraft.
‘Everything we do is calibrated with regard to ongoing conflict in the region and in accordance with international law.
‘We welcome Russia’s acknowledgement this was in international airspace, and the UK has conducted regular sorties with the RAF Rivet Joint in international airspace over the Black Sea since 2019 and we will continue to do so.’
Labour MP Luke Pollard thanked Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for his ‘calmness and professionalism’ amid ‘much Government chaos’.
The shadow defence minister described the Russian fighter jet incident as ‘serious’, and welcomed the fact that RAF flights have restarted.
‘The RAF have this House’s full support and we are grateful to them, to other UK forces, and our Nato allies in their work protecting the alliance and protecting freedom,’ he said.
‘This incident also acts as a serious reminder about the importance of avoiding escalation and miscalculation while continuing the UK’s united support for Ukraine.’
He added: ‘(Vladimir) Putin needs to be in no doubt that our resolve will continue and, whether it’s his (Mr Wallace’s) party or my party that’s in charge, that will not change.’
He also asked about the Government’s position on defence spending, saying: ‘Last night the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, threw into doubt the planned rise to 3% of GDP on defence spending when in a speech he referred to it as a potential increase.’
Sukhoi Su-27
Top speed: 1,550mph
Length: 72ft
Wing span: 48ft
Range: 2,193 miles
Cost: £27million
Crew: 1
Weapons: 30mm gun with 150 rounds, range of missiles, rockets and bombs mounted externally on ten hardpoints
RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint
Top Speed: 540mph
Length: 135ft
Wing span: 131ft
Range: 3,900 miles
Cost: Around £200million
Crew: Up to 30
Task: Reconnaissance aircraft
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