Video filmed from Russian Fighter
Russian aircraft on June 26 again intercepted U.S. aircraft in international airspace, this time USAF and U.S. Navy reconnaissance planes along with a refueling tanker operating in the Black Sea. The intercept is at least the eighth interaction between U.S. and Russian aircraft across the globe within the last month.
The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video showing a Navy P-8, along with a USAF KC-135 refueling an RC-135 reconnaissance plane over international waters.
The MoD statement translated:
On June 26, 2020, duty personnel for air defense of the Southern Military District timely revealed the actions of U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over the neutral waters of the Black Sea and escorted them by a Russian fighter. At a considerable distance from the state border of the Russian Federation, the US Air Force aircraft were continuously accompanied by Russian radar control equipment. To intercept targets, a Su-30 fighter of the naval aviation of the Black Sea Fleet from the air defense duty forces of the Southern Military District was raised. The crew of the Russian fighter approached a safe distance from air targets, identified them as a US Navy R-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft and US Air Force KS-135 refueling aircraft, which immediately changed the direction of flight from the state border of the Russian Federation. The flight of the Russian combat aircraft took place in strict accordance with international airspace use regulations. After completing the task, the Russian fighter returned safely to the base airfield.
Neither the Defense Department nor U.S. European Command immediately responded to requests for comment.
The aircraft, once intercepted, changed direction away from its original heading toward Russia, the MOD alleges. The Su-30 then returned to base.
It is the second intercept in the Black Sea region in about a month. On May 29, Russian Su-27 and Su-30SM fighters intercepted USAF B-1s that were flying with Ukrainian Su-27s and MiG-29s in the area.
U.S. and Russian aircraft have been intercepting each other regularly across the globe the past few months, including in the Baltic Sea of Eastern Europe where Russian Su-27s intercepted a B-52 on June 15. North American Aerospace Defense Command fighters have intercepted Russian aircraft five times in the last month, including a June 24 intercept of Russian reconnaissance planes off the Alaskan coast. Russian fighters intercepted a B-52 flying over the Sea of Okhotsk on June 19.
Source: Air Force Magazine