A Russian Fighter jet sped within several feet of a U.S. spy plane over the Black Sea on Monday according to the Pentagon. “An RC-135 aircraft flying a routine route in international airspace over the Black Sea was intercepted by a Russian Su-27 in an unsafe and unprofessional manner,” said Navy Capt. Daniel Hernandez, chief spokesman for the U.S. European Command.
“US defense officials claim the an aggressive banking turn was performed and the thrust of the SU-27 ‘disturbed the controllability’ of the RC-135 (a modified Boeing 707), the Express reported. Defense Department spokeswoman Lt. Col. Michelle L. Baldanza told Fox News outlet that the incident is being investigated. “The Pentagon held a video conference Thursday with Russian military officials to discuss flight safety over Syria ‘to avoid accidents and unintended confrontation between coalition and Russian forces whenever the two sides operate in close proximity,’ according to Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook. FULL REPORT
