BRITAIN’S Ministry of Defence has responded to claims by Russia that RAF Typhoon fighters were today turned back by a Putin warplane.
Russia alleged that it detected “three air targets” approaching its border with war-torn Ukraine, which initiated a dramatic showdown.
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Russia’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Wednesday that it had scrambled one of its Su-30 fighters after detecting an RC-135 aircraft and two RAF Typhoon jets over the Black Sea.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence tonight confirmed that three aircraft had carried out an operation over the Black Sea, but did not attempt to enter Russian airspace.
A spokesperson for Britain’s MoD said: “A Royal Air Force Rivet Joint and two Typhoon aircraft carried out a safe and legal operation in international airspace over the Black Sea today on a pre-planned and notified flight path.
“At no time did the aircraft attempt to enter Russian airspace.”
RAF aircraft routinely patrol the Black Sea following Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier today, Russia’s MoD claimed: “On March 6, Russian air traffic control over the Black Sea detected three air targets approaching the State border of the Russian Federation.
“To prevent violation of the State Border of the Russian Federation, a Su-30 fighter from the air defence forces on duty was scrambled.
“The Russian fighter crew identified the air targets as an RC-135 electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft and two RAF Typhoon multi-role fighters.”
It claimed that the “foreign military aircraft” turned away from the Russian border as the Russian fighter made its approach.
Russia said its plane returned to its home airfield unscathed.
Putin’s MoD added: “There was no violation of the State Border of the Russian Federation.
“The flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters, without crossing air routes or dangerously approaching aircraft of a foreign state.”
