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2h ago

UK Reports Dangerous Russian Intercepts Over Black Sea and GPS Jamming of Defence Secretary’s RAF Jet

Defence officials say the incidents signal a widening pattern of kinetic and electronic harassment, raising accident risk, forcing operational caution, challenging NATO readiness.

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John Healey arriving in Tallinn, Estonia, on Thursday
British Defence Secretary John Healey walks to attend a cabinet meeting at Downing Street, the day before the State Opening of Parliament, in London, Britain, May 12, 2026.

Overview

  • The Ministry of Defence disclosed that in April 2026 a Russian Su-35 flew so close to an unarmed RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint over the Black Sea that the plane’s emergency systems activated and its autopilot was disabled.
  • The MoD also reported that a Russian Su-27 made multiple passes that approached roughly six metres from the Rivet Joint’s nose, behaviour the ministry called highly dangerous.
  • Public flight-tracking data shows no Rivet Joint missions to the Black Sea since April 21, 2026, suggesting the RAF has paused or reduced surveillance sorties to the area.
  • British media and defence sources report that on May 21 an RAF Dassault Falcon 900LX carrying Defence Secretary John Healey lost satellite/GPS signals for the full three-hour return flight, forcing pilots to rely on inertial navigation and disrupting onboard connectivity.
  • Officials have not formally attributed the jamming to Russia, but defence sources called the interference reckless; analysts note the incidents follow earlier near-misses and GNSS disruption and could prompt NATO operational and diplomatic responses.