Russia says Su-27 fighter jet intercepted US spy plane; US protests

"This is but the latest example of Russian military activities disregarding international norms and agreements," a statement released by State Department said, calling on Russia "to cease these unsafe actions."

By: Reuters | Moscow | Updated: January 30, 2018 9:30 pm

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The encounter was first reported by Russia’s RIA news agency. Representational Image (AP)

A Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted a US surveillance plane over the Black Sea on Monday, prompting the US State Department to protest the maneuver as “an unsafe interaction.” The encounter, first reported by Russia’s RIA news agency, cited the defence ministry as saying the US Navy aircraft, an ??-3E Aries II plane, did not violate Russian air space, reports Reuters.

In a statement, the State Department said the Russian jet “engaged in an unsafe interaction with a US EP-3 in international airspace, closing to within 5 feet (1.5 meters) and crossing directly in front of the EP-3’s flight path.”