VIDEO: Russian Fighter Jet Conducts 'Unsafe' Maneuver In Close Proximity To US Surveillance Plane

The U.S. military released videos Wednesday showing a Russian fighter craft intercepting a surveillance plane in an “unsafe” manner. The altercation took place over the Mediterranean Sea, with the Russian jet coming within 25 feet of the surveillance plane in a manner that placed both planes at risk.

The second video shows a second Russian jet in close proximity to the surveillance plane opposite the first jet, though mostly blocked from view by one of the surveillance plane’s engines.

“On May 26, 2020, a U.S. Navy P-8A aircraft was flying in the Eastern Mediterranean over international waters and was intercepted by two Russian SU-35 aircraft over a period of 65 minutes,” the U.S. Navy said in a statement.

“The intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional due to the Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously, restricting the P-8A’s ability to safely maneuver.

“The unnecessary actions of the Russian SU-35 pilots were inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules, and jeopardized the safety of flight of both aircraft.”

It was the third such incident involving Russian jet fighters and U.S. surveillance craft since mid-April.

The first incident took place on April 15 while a surveillance plane was flying international airspace above the Mediterranean Sea. A SU-35 was seen outside the plane performing an “unsafe” maneuver within 25 feet. of the U.S. plane. The Russian fighter stuck with the surveillance plane for over 40 minutes before it departed.

“While the Russian aircraft was operating in international airspace, this interaction was irresponsible” the U.S. Navy said.

The second altercation was on April 19, also in the airspace over the Mediterranean Sea. A U.S. P-8A was intercepted by a SU-35 twice “over a period of 100 minutes.” While the first intercept was considered “safe and professional,” the second was not as the fighter conducted a similarly “unsafe” aerial maneuver to the fighter on April 15. However, the fighter was confirmed to be in front of the plane during the maneuver, exposing the U.S. plane to wake turbulence and the fighter’s exhaust.

“In response, the P-8A, which was operating at a constant altitude and airspeed, descended to create separation and ensure safety of both aircraft,” the U.S. Navy said. “The unnecessary actions of the Russian SU-35 pilot were inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules, seriously jeopardizing the safety of flight of both aircraft.”