Unic Press UK: The United States Navy has accused Russia of unsafely intercepting a U.S. EP-3 Aries aircraft when a Russian SU-27 carried out a high speed pass directly in front of the mission [spy] aircraft, saying that the action of the Russian had not been responsible.
Excerpts of a statement Monday from the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs reads:
“. . . a U.S. EP-3 Aries aircraft flying in international airspace over the Black Sea was intercepted by a Russian SU-27. This interaction was determined to be unsafe. . . The intercepting SU-27 made an additional pass, closing with the EP-3 and applying its afterburner while conducting a banking turn away. While the Russian military is within its right to exercise within international airspace, this interaction was irresponsible. . . Unsafe actions increase the risk of miscalculation and potential for midair collisions.”
#BREAKING: U.S. EP-3 intercepted in the #BlackSea by Russian SU-27 putting at risk pilots and crew. #USNavy aircraft was operating in accordance with international law and did not provoke this Russian activity. — https://t.co/7xWaf3vmgc pic.twitter.com/eFhQGutZhr
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) November 5, 2018
