Russian Fighter Intercepts Navy P-8 over Mediterranean Sea

ARLINGTON,
Va. — A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was intercepted in
international airspace on June 4 by a Russian SU-35 fighter over the
Mediterranean Sea, the U.S. 6th Fleet reported in a release.

The P-8A was
intercepted “three times over the course of 175 minutes,” the release said. “The
first and third interaction were deemed safe. The second interaction was
determined to be unsafe due to the SU-35 conducting a high-speed pass directly
in front of the mission aircraft, which put our pilots and crew at risk. The
crew of the P-8A reported wake turbulence following the second interaction. The
duration of the intercept was approximately 28 minutes.”

The 6th Fleet
called the interaction “irresponsible.”

“We expect them to behave within
international standards set to ensure safety and to prevent incidents,
including the 1972 Agreement for the Prevention of Incidents On and Over the
High Seas (INCSEA),” the release said. “Unsafe actions‎ increase the risk of
miscalculation and potential for midair collisions. The U.S. aircraft was
operating consistent with international law and did not provoke this Russian
activity.”