Earlier this week an armed Russian Su-27 intercepted a US P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane flying as close as 20 feet according to reports. The P-8A was flying in international airspace in the Black Sea region. This incident occurred the day before President Trump met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Photo of P-8A Poseidon by US Navy
The Russian jet came as close as 20 feet to the American aircraft and remained that close for five minutes, a U.S. defense official told Fox News. The Russian jet was carrying six air-to-air missiles under its wings, making this episode “highly provocative,” one official told Fox News.
It is very rare for a Russian jet to intercept a U.S. aircraft while visibly armed, officials said. – Fox News
Then Friday morning another Russian Su-27 fighter jet flew very close to another US Navy P-8 Poseidon. This event took place after President Trump’s meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister.
Another Russian jet, in the Sea of Japan flew within 70 miles of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group.
Clearly, the Russians have no shortage of jet fuel these days and are keeping their aircraft busy trying to intimidate the US. Is it working? What do you think?
Featured image of Russian Su-27 by Alex Beltyukov – RuSpotters Team, via Wikimedia Commons
