Russian fighter jet ‘released missile’ near RAF aircraft over Black Sea

RAF patrols suspended as Russia blames technical malfunction for alert in international airspace

A Russian fighter jet released a missile close to an unarmed British RAF aircraft over the Black Sea, the defence secretary has revealed.

The UK raised objections with Russian defence chiefs, who blamed a technical malfunction, Ben Wallace told MPs.

The alert, which happened in international airspace on 29 September, lasted an hour-and-a-half.

He told the Commons it was not unusual for aircraft to be shadowed, but that day one of the SU-27 aircraft released a missile beyond visual range.

“The total time of the interaction between the Russian aircraft and the Rivet Joint was approximately 90 minutes,” he said.

“The patrol completed and the aircraft returned to base.”

Russia blamed the missile release on a “technical malfunction”, Mr Wallace said.

In the light of the “potentially dangerous engagement”, he communicated his concerns directly to his Russian counterpart, defence minister Sergei Shoigu, and the chief of defence staff in Moscow, he went on.

“In my letter, I made clear the aircraft was unarmed, in international airspace, and following a pre-notified flight path.

“I felt it was prudent to suspend these patrols until a response was received by the Russian state,” he added.

“The reply by the Russian minister of defence on October 10 stated they have conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the incident and stated it was a technical malfunction of the SU-27 fighter.

“They also acknowledge that the incident took place in international airspace.”

He said the Ministry of Defence had told the UK’s allies and that after consulting them he had restarted routine patrols, but this time escorted by fighter aircraft.

“Everything we do is considered and calibrated with regard to ongoing conflict in the region and in accordance with international law.

“We welcome Russia’s acknowledgement this was in international airspace, and the UK has conducted regular sorties with the RAF Rivet Joint in international airspace over the Black Sea since 2019 and we will continue to do so.”

Shadow defence minister Luke Pollard described the incident as serious, and welcomed the fact that RAF flights have restarted.

“The RAF have this House’s full support and we are grateful to them, to other UK forces, and our Nato allies in their work protecting the alliance and protecting freedom,” he said.

“This incident also acts as a serious reminder about the importance of avoiding escalation and miscalculation while continuing the UK’s united support for Ukraine.”

He added: “(Vladimir) Putin needs to be in no doubt that our resolve will continue and, whether it’s his (Mr Wallace’s) party or my party that’s in charge, that will not change.”

He also asked about the government’s position on defence spending, saying: “Last night the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, threw into doubt the planned rise to 3 per cent of GDP on defence spending when in a speech he referred to it as a ‘potential’ increase.”

Mr Wallace said a commitment to raise defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP was made while he was on a recent visit to Washington DC.

Responding to Labour, he said: “I would be very interested if the Labour Party will match that in 2030.”

“If they are getting ready for government as they seem to think they are, I think those are the questions that they will need to answer,” he said.

He added: “They will have at least two years to do it, so I’m not too worried at all. That’s when the election I’m guessing would be, but that is definitely above my pay grade.”

He also said that separately, a Russian fighter jet flew within 15ft of a Nato aircraft, an action he described as “reckless” and “unnecessary”.

He reiterated the UK does not consider it a “deliberate escalation” by the Russian but stressed “it is a reminder of quite how dangerous things can be when you choose to use your fighters in the manner that the Russians have done over many periods of time”.

He added: “While this was obviously the release of a weapon, we have seen very, very close flying next to US, UK Nato assets over the last few years.

“In one event I was aware of, a Russian fighter went within 15 feet of a Nato aircraft. You know that is reckless, unnecessary and puts at risk many people’s lives.”