The British Embassy called the violation of the Russian border by a reconnaissance aircraft a "routine" operation
The British Air Force Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft performed a "routine operation" in international airspace in the Norwegian and Barents Seas on August 15, the British Embassy in Moscow said. They considered the maneuver of the Russian MiG-31BM fighter, which flew to intercept the Royal Air Force aircraft, dangerous and noted that the flight had been previously agreed. However, the Russian Defense Ministry, the Federation Council and the State Duma called the actions of the British military a provocation. For more information, see the material "Newspapers.Ru».
The British Embassy in Russia in its Telegram channel announced an incorrect interpretation of the events involving the aircraft of the Royal Air Force and the fighter of the Aerospace Forces of Russia. They noted that the flight of the British RC-135W Rivet Joint radio intelligence aircraft on August 15 was agreed in advance and took place in international airspace, it did not violate Russian borders.
The team of the British aircraft was in contact with Russian air traffic controllers and acted safely and professionally," the diplomatic mission said.
The Russian Defense Ministry on Monday reported a violation by a British reconnaissance aircraft of the state border of the Russian Federation over the Barents Sea. A MiG-31BM fighter jet flew out to intercept, which displaced the British Boeing outside the state border of the Russian Federation.
"In order to prevent the violation of the state border, a MiG-31BM fighter was raised from the air defense forces on duty, which identified it as an RC-135 aircraft of the British Air Force radio intelligence and electronic warfare. An aerial target violated the state border of Russia in the area of Cape Svyatoy Nos," the Defense Ministry said.
On August 16, the Ministry of Defense announced that the UK had previously applied for an RC-135 flight on a route that runs, among other things, over Russian territory. The department called it a deliberate provocation.
"The UK has submitted a flight plan application for the flight of a British RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft on a route that runs, including over the territory of the Russian Federation. We consider this action as a deliberate provocation of the VKS of the Russian Federation, the task is to prevent violations of the airspace of Russia. All possible consequences from this deliberate provocation will lie solely on the side of the UK," the military department said.
In response to the incident, the Charge d'affaires of the Russian Federation in the UK, Alexander Gusarov, commented on the violation of the airspace of the Russian Federation by a British aircraft. He urged the British side not to create a hotbed of tension in the Arctic.
"We urge our British colleagues not to follow this very risky path, not to create an artificial hotbed of tension out of the blue in the Arctic, a region that has been declared an area of peace and cooperation," he said.
He added that the actions of the British military are a deliberate provocation and a gross violation of international law. The British Air Force, he said, pursued the goal of "trying to open up our defense system and probe the limits of our patience."
British destroyer in the Crimea
Gusarov also compared this situation with the incident with the British destroyer Defender, which entered the territorial waters of the Crimea in June 2021. Then the British destroyer crossed the Russian border near Cape Fiolent (Crimea). After repeated warnings, the Russian border ship fired, and the Su-24M front-line bomber made a "warning bombing" along the course of the destroyer.
The British side then stated that it recognizes Crimea as part of Ukraine, respectively, the passage of the destroyer took place in accordance with international law.
"We had every right to carry out such a peaceful passage through the territorial waters of Ukraine in accordance with international law. We will continue to act in the same way," said former British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab.
"They can get it in full"
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense Mikhail Shvytkin in a conversation with "Gazeta.Ru" stated that the UK "crossed the norms of what is permitted." He noted that NATO member countries are going to deliberate provocations against the background of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
"I think that such provocative actions should be stopped. Once again, the idea is confirmed that impunity generates new, more serious types of crimes, not just offenses. Because this is the crossing of the state border of our country. And, of course, in this case there should be actions up to the firing defeat of the enemy or the landing of the aircraft at our airfield," he said.
He noted that Russia strictly follows the norms of international law, and Western countries, including the NATO bloc, grossly violate them.
"A combat aircraft with nuclear weapons on board may come in tomorrow. We must stop these actions in the bud. Yes, the first time there really was no need to use a warning shot or (shot) to defeat.
In turn, the first deputy head of the International Committee of the Federation Council, Vladimir Jabarov, warned the British side against violating Russian borders. He also recalled the incident with the destroyer Defender.
"If it's an accident, I think they'll explain. If it's intentional, he just won't return to his base next time. They are playing with fire," the senator said.
He noted that such provocations were caused by an attempt to test the reaction of the Russian side. "This is an attempt by the UK to get on our nerves. They can get it in full," Jabarov said.
State Duma deputy Oleg Morozov, in turn, called the flight of the British plane a "tooth-punch."
"With a different level of intensity of the international situation, this could be called a border incident. But today it clearly smacks of provocation and a breakdown of us "on the tooth". We made it clear: our military teeth are stronger, as well as endurance," he said.
Senator Sergey Tsekov also noted that Russia's borders are reliably protected, and "we can resist any threat directed against us."
Mikhail Rodionov
