A US Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was intercepted in the Black Sea by a pair of Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets from Russian Naval Aviation on Tuesday afternoon, the ministry said. of Russian Defense.
In the statement, the ministry said fighter jets were sent to identify the air target, which was escorted over the Black Sea. The interception was carried out in strict accordance with the International Rules for the Use of Airspace, and the P-8 did not violate state border of the Russian Federation.
Interestingly, one of the Su-30SM seen in the video, bort number Blue 39, carries a Kh-31 air-to-ground missile. Depending on the variant, the Kh-31 can be used against radar or ships.
The P-8 Poseidon is the US's flagship maritime patrol aircraft, designed to replace the aging Lockheed P-3 Orions. Based on Boeing's 737, the P-8 can perform anti-surface or anti-submarine warfare, signals intelligence, search and rescue and other missions. recently became Poseidon's newest customer, acquiring five units.
The interception of the American aircraft comes amid tensions in the region. Last week, Su-24, Su-27, Su-30SM and Su-34 aircraft from Russia carried out attack training against ships in the Black Sea in response to NATO's Exercise Sea Breeze. About 5 military personnel, 40 ships and 30 aircraft are participating in t training by the US-led military alliance.
About two weeks ago, the British destroyer HMS Defender was harassed by Russia when sailing through the Crimea, a region that was annexed by the Russians, but which most countries still recognize as being Ukrainian, pointed out the Reuters agency.
The Ministry of Defense also reported that two Tu-22M3 Backfire supersonic bombers “performed a planned five-hour flight over neutral waters of the Black Sea”. According to the authorities, the Tu-22s were escorted by Su-30M2 fighters from the Southern Military District, but in the images the aircraft are Su-27s.
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