A Royal Air Force Typhoon jet, bottom, flies by a SU-30 Flanker fighter (Picture: AP)
Vladimir Putin deployed a warplane against RAF jets over the Black Sea in yet another sign of the worsening relations between Russia and the West.
The ministry of defence said that three air targets were detected approaching the state border.
Two were RAF Typhoon fighters and one was an RC-135 electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft.
A Su-30 fighter from the Russia air force was scrambled to prevent the plane and RAF Typhoons from violating the border.
A statement from the ministry said: ‘Russian air traffic control over the Black Sea detected three air targets approaching the State border of the Russian Federation today.
‘To prevent violation of the State Border of the Russian Federation, a Su-30 fighter from the air defence forces on duty was scrambled.
‘The Russian fighter crew identified the air targets as an RC-135 electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft and two RAF Typhoon multi-role fighters.
‘As the Russian fighter approached, the foreign military aircraft made a turn away from the State border of the Russian Federation.
‘The Russian plane returned safely to its home airfield. There was no violation of the State Border of the Russian Federation.
‘The flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters, without crossing air routes or dangerously approaching aircraft of a foreign state.’
Such incidents are not uncommon, and RAF planes sometimes intercept Russian jets.
But this comes as Russia has increased its aerial attacks as soldiers advance on the front lines in Ukraine.
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