Three Russian Su-27 fighters from the Southern Military District escorted five French and American warplanes over the Black Sea. This was announced on Thursday, December 9, at the National Center for Defense Management of the Russian Federation (NTSUO).
“The crews of Russian fighters identified aerial targets as two tactical fighters Mirage-2000 and Rafale of the French Aerospace Forces, a CL-600 Artemis reconnaissance aircraft of the US Army, a strategic reconnaissance aircraft RC-135 of the US Air Force, and a KS tanker aircraft -135 Aerospace Forces of France and escorted them over the Black Sea “, – noted in the NTSUO Ministry of Defense of Russia.
The video, published by the Russian defense department, shows a French KS-135 jet fueled by Rafale and Mirage-2000 fighters. At the same time, the pilot of the Su-27 entered the tail of the KS-135, finding himself a few meters from the tanker aircraft.
The video also shows how the Su-27 continues its flight, being close to the French fighters that have finished refueling.
It is clarified that the Russian planes returned to the airfield after the aircraft of the United States and France changed course and began to move away from the border of the Russian Federation.
“Violations of the state border of the Russian Federation were not allowed,” the message says.
The General Staff of the French Armed Forces told RIA Novosti that the Russian plane accompanied French fighters “throughout most of their transit over the Black Sea.”
“The attitude of the Russian pilots was professional and in line with practice,” the French General Staff emphasized.
In addition, in Paris, the information that the aircraft of the Fifth Republic were heading into the airspace of the Russian Federation was considered incorrect.
The Su-27 did not interfere with the movement of French aircraft in international airspace, the department concluded.
Earlier, on November 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted Moscow’s concern about military exercises near its borders, in particular, in the Black Sea region.
On November 25, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that they began tracking the US Navy missile destroyer Arleigh Burke, which entered the Black Sea. The US Sixth Fleet noted that NATO allies and partners are acting in the region to ensure a safe, stable and reliable maritime environment, as well as to strengthen partnership capabilities.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
