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The Russian Su-30 fighters intercepted the US Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol plane over the waterway, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported this morning. Russian radar stations had detected what they described as an “aerial target” approaching Russia’s state border.
The fighters, from the Black Sea Fleet’s quick reaction alert naval aviation and air defense forces, were scrambled to investigate, the statement explained.
The National Defense Control Center added: “The crews of the Russian fighters identified the aerial target as a Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft, and shadowed it over the Black Sea.”
The statement insisted the aircraft, which belonged to the United States, was “not allowed to violate Russia’s state border.”
Separately, Russia is tracking a Spanish naval ship in the Black Sea, the Interfax news agency cited Russia’s defence ministry as saying on Wednesday, with both Ukraine and NATO countries both holding military drills in the area.
The ministry said the Spanish ship had entered the Black Sea on Wednesday to take part in the Sea Breeze 2021 military drills, which started late last month in the Black Sea and southern Ukraine and involve more than 30 countries.
The National Defense Control Center said: “The Black Sea Fleet’s forces and capabilities have started to track the Spanish Navy’s patrol vessel Rayo that entered the Black Sea on July 7, 2021, to participate in the Sea Breeze multinational exercise of NATO member states and partner countries.”
The Rayo is a corvette designated to operate in the distant maritime zone which came into service with the Spanish Navy in 2011.
The ship is capable of a speed of up to 30 knots, with artillery armaments and is equipped with a patrol helicopter.
The latest incident highlights the raised tensions in the key strategic waterway in recent months.
Last month Russia claimed to have fired waring shots at UK vessel HMS Defender,accusing it of incursions of its territorial waters near Crimea. in what Russia’s President Vladimir Putin later claimed was a “provocation”.
The Royal Navy disputed Russia’s version of events.
UK defence secretary Ben Wallace subsequently said: “This morning, HMS Defender carried out a routine transit from Odesa towards Georgia across the Black Sea.
“As is normal for this route, HMS Defender entered an internationally recognised traffic separation corridor.
“She exited that corridor safely at 0945 BST (British Summer Time).
“As is routine, Russian vessels shadowed her passage and she was made aware of training exercises in her wider vicinity.”
(More to follow)
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