Russia says Su-27 fighter jet intercepted US spy plane; America protests

In a statement, the State Department said the Russian jet “engaged in an unsafe interaction with a US EP-3 in international airspace, closing to within 5 feet and crossing directly in front of the EP-3’s flight path.”

A Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted a US surveillance plane over the Black Sea on Monday, prompting the US State Department to protest the manoeuvre as “an unsafe interaction.”

Russian Su-27 fighter jets and Su-34 bomber, right in the back, are parked at Hemeimeem air base in Syria. (AP File Photo)

The encounter, first reported by Russia’s RIA news agency, cited the defence ministry as saying the US Navy aircraft, an ЕР-3E Aries II plane, did not violate Russian air space.

In a statement, the State Department said the Russian jet “engaged in an unsafe interaction with a US EP-3 in international airspace, closing to within 5 feet and crossing directly in front of the EP-3’s flight path.”

“This is but the latest example of Russian military activities disregarding international norms and agreements,” the statement said, calling on Russia “to cease these unsafe actions.”

“After the surveillance plane of the US Navy had changed its course to move away from the border, the Su-27 returned to its base,” RIA quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying.