DescrierA Russian fighter jet intercepted a US surveillance plane in waters off Russia’s east coast in April, flying unusually close amid escalating tensions over Ukraine.
The Russian Su-27 Flanker flew within 30 metres of the US RC-135 as it was conducting a “routine mission” over the Sea of Okhotsk near Japan on 23 April, according to Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby.
The timing of the near collision was important as it coincided with US President Barack Obama’s visit to Japan, where he criticised Russia’s annexation in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. However, it does appear to be an isolated incident and reflects increased Russian military activity around Japan’s border in recent months, as Moscow attempts to put pressure on Tokyo to avoid joint US-Japanese military exercises off the Russian coast.
This was the closest “near miss” of US and Russian military aircraft since the end of the Cold War.