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An American plane flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea was intercepted three times by a Russian fighter plane during a 175-minute period on Tuesday, according to the 6th Fleet. One of the interactions – the second – was deemed dangerous by the United States because the Russian SU-35 passed at high speed directly in front of the American Poseidon P-8A.
According to a statement from the 6th Fleet, the crew members stated that during the second 28 minute interaction, they had experienced wake turbulence.
The Navy said that the second interception put the pilots and the crew at risk and described the interaction of the Russian aircraft "irresponsible". The 6th statement of the fleet went on to state that although the Russian aircraft was in the international airspace, it was still expected that it adhered to international standards.
"Unsecured actions increase the risk of miscalculation and the risk of collision in flight," warned the 6th Fleet.
The last unsecured interception by Russia took place at the end of last year, in November 2018, over the Black Sea. During this incident, a Russian SU-27 fighter aircraft rushed directly past a US Navy aircraft, then made a second pass. Navy aircraft passengers reported turbulence on the first pass and vibrations on the second.
David Martin contributed to this report.
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