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Russian Jets Intercept RAF Spy Plane Over Black Sea With Six‑Metre Close Pass

The UK says the manoeuvres disabled the aircraft’s autopilot and prompted a formal protest because they raised the risk of an accidental clash with Russia.

Caption: Image of a Russian Su-35, seen here alongside an RAF Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea in April 2026. Russian Su-35 and Su-27 jets flew as close as six metres of the Rivet Joint?s nose, disabling the aircraft?s autopilot. An RAF Rivet Joint aircraft was repeatedly and dangerously intercepted by two Russian jets last month over the Black Sea. One Russian Su-35 aircraft flew close enough to trigger emergency systems on the Rivet Joint, including disabling the autopilot system. In another dangerous intercept, a Russian Su-27 aircraft conducted six passes in front of the British aircraft, passing between 6 and 15 metres from the nose of the aircraft. The Rivet Joint aircraft was carrying out a routine flight in international airspace over the Black Sea and was unarmed. This is part of the UK?s work alongside allies to secure NATO?s Eastern Flank. Despite the dangerous Russian actions, the RAF crew remained calm and professional throughout and completed their planned flight. This week, representatives from the UK Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office met with the Russian Embassy to condemn the pilots? dangerous and unacceptable behaviour. Photographer: RAF Provider: UK MOD Crown copyright Source: RAF Copyright: UK MOD ? Crown copyright 2026
Image of a Russian Su-35, seen here alongside an RAF Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea in April 2026. Russian Su-35 and Su-27 jets flew as close as six metres of the Rivet Joint’s nose, disabling the aircraft’s autopilot (Image credit: Crown Copyright 2026)
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Overview

  • Britain’s Ministry of Defence says two Russian fighters repeatedly intercepted an unarmed RAF Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft in April, with a Su-35 triggering the plane’s emergency systems and a Su-27 making six passes as close as six metres from the nose.
  • The MoD released flight-deck footage that appears to show the Russian jets and suggests both carried missile loadouts, and it says the RAF crew remained calm and completed their mission with no injuries.
  • Defence Secretary John Healey called the actions “dangerous and unacceptable,” and UK defence and foreign ministry officials lodged a formal protest with the Russian Embassy; there is no reported official Russian response.
  • The Rivet Joint is a large, unarmed signals‑intelligence aircraft that carries a mission crew of analysts and collects electronic intelligence to support NATO’s eastern flank, making it vulnerable to close intercepts.
  • The MoD described the event as the most dangerous encounter with a UK Rivet Joint since Russia released a missile over the Black Sea in 2022, and officials warned this episode fits a wider pattern of probing behaviour that raises the risk of accidents and escalation.