U.K. Defense Ministry Warns of Dangerous Russian Intercept

On May 20, 2026, the United Kingdom’s defense ministry disclosed a perilous incident involving Russian jets over the Black Sea. Two Russian aircraft, identified as Su-35 and Su-27, dangerously intercepted a British surveillance plane, according to a statement by Defense Minister John Healey. The encounter led to the Su-27 flying as close as six meters (19 feet) to the nose of the RAF Rivet Joint aircraft.

The British surveillance craft was on a routine mission in international airspace, contributing to NATO’s Eastern Flank security efforts. Despite the harsh interception, Healey affirmed the UK’s unwavering resolve to safeguard NATO allies from Russian actions. The ministry described this as the most serious incident since 2022, when a Russian plane launched a missile near an RAF aircraft in a similar region.

Further details highlighted that one Russian Su-35 aircraft approached closely enough to activate emergency protocols on the British plane, temporarily disabling its autopilot. Another Russian Su-27 conducted six passes in front of the surveillance aircraft, intensifying the danger.

“These dangerous actions pose significant risks and potential escalation,” Healey stated.

Days prior, Britain’s Royal Navy reported monitoring and deterring three Russian submarines supposedly engaged in covert operations near vital cables and pipelines north of the UK. This operation, made public by Healey on April 9, involved around 500 personnel, with UK aircraft flying over 450 hours and a navy frigate traversing thousands of nautical miles.

As a result of these events, British defense officials filed formal complaints with the Russian embassy regarding Russian military conduct, which contributes to the ongoing strained relations amid the Ukraine conflict.

Previous incidents underscore the tension, including a December 2025 occurrence where the British navy tracked a Russian submarine for three days in the English Channel and a November 2025 claim that a Russian spy ship targeted RAF pilots with lasers.

Moreover, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the UK has persistently backed Ukraine, reinforcing regional security in collaboration with fellow NATO members.

In November 2024, British jets responded promptly to monitor a Russian reconnaissance aircraft near UK airspace, with NATO jets scrambling over similar sightings in the Baltic Sea and near Norway.