A previously undisclosed altercation over the Black Sea in 2022 involved a Russian pilot attempting to take down a British RAF surveillance plane, the BBC has discovered. Initially brushed off by Russia as a mere “technical malfunction” and seemingly accepted by the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) in public statements, recent intel suggests a far more concerning series of events.
While on a surveillance mission in international airspace last September, the RAF aircraft, carrying a crew of up to 30, was approached by two Russian SU-27 fighter jets. Interceptions of Russian communications reveal that one of the pilots mistakenly believed he had received clearance to attack the British plane, prompting him to fire two missiles, the first of which missed.
NATO pilots, known for their precise language during operations, starkly contrast the apparent miscommunication of the Russian ground controller, whose ambiguous order led to the near-disastrous altercation.
The incident intensifies concerns regarding the professionalism of Russia’s air force, as this is not the first event involving a Russian pilot’s dangerous conduct in international airspace. Despite the potential risks, the RAF has persisted in its surveillance missions over the Black Sea, now escorted by Typhoon fighter jets equipped with air-to-air missiles.
MoD comments on the matter underscore the ever-present risks stemming from Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The situation accentuates the thin line that separates minor miscommunications from potential military confrontations between major powers.
