The dangers of military aircraft operating in close proximity to one another.

The UK has suspended its military patrols over the Black Sea after two Russian fighter jets flew “dangerously close” to a British aircraft. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the incident happened on 29 September and that Russia has acknowledged it took place in international airspace. The RAF RC-135 aircraft was on routine patrol over the Black Sea when it was “shadowed” by two Russian armed SU-27 fighter jets. Wallace told parliament Britain had suspended patrols following the incident and expressed their concerns to Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. ‘The total time of the interaction between the Russian aircraft and the Rivet Joint was approximately 90 minutes.

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The incident, which happened on September 29, was described by Mr Wallace as a “potentially dangerous engagement” but said it was not deemed a “deliberate escalation”.