The Times: Britain halted operations over the Black Sea due to the Su-27 incidentThe incident that occurred at the end of September involving Russian and British aircraft over the Black Sea became the subject of discussion in the English Parliament, writes The Times.
Readers of the publication are surprised by the position of the Royal Air Force, which immediately suspended intelligence operations in the region.
Debbie WhiteThe British Defense Minister said that a Russian fighter jet fired a missile next to a British aircraft in international airspace over the Black Sea.
Ben Wallace told parliament that the UK temporarily suspended patrolling the territory after the incident that occurred on September 29, seven months after the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine.
When the British side expressed concern to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu about a "potentially dangerous collision," Wallace was informed that the missile launch was a technical malfunction.
Since then, the UK has resumed patrolling, with the planes being escorted by fighter jets, Wallace said
Wallace told the House of Commons: "On September 29, an unarmed Royal Air Force RC-135 civilian aircraft performing regular patrols over the Black Sea was confronted by two armed Russian Su-27 fighters."
"Aircraft surveillance is a common thing, and this day was no exception. However, during this interaction, it turned out that one of the Su-27 aircraft fired a missile out of sight of the Royal Air Force aircraft. The total interaction time of the Russian aircraft and the British RC-135 was about an hour and a half. At the end of the patrol, the plane returned to base," Wallace added.
According to Wallace, he informed his Russian counterpart that the plane was not armed, was in international airspace and was following a pre-announced trajectory.
In his response of October 10, Shoigu allegedly "admitted" that the incident occurred in international airspace, but referred to a "technical malfunction".
"The British Ministry of Defense shared this information with the allies, and after consultations, I resumed patrolling in normal mode, but accompanied by fighter jets," Wallace told the deputies.
"The measures taken are weighted taking into account the ongoing conflict in the region and in accordance with international law," he concluded.
Shadow Defence Secretary Luke Pollard described the incident as "serious" and thanked Wallace for his "calmness and professionalism" amid "general chaos in the government."
Pollard said: "The House of Commons wholeheartedly supports the Royal Air Force and we are grateful to them, other British forces and our NATO allies for working to protect the alliance and freedom. In addition, this incident serves as a serious reminder of how important it is to avoid escalation and miscalculations, while not abandoning joint support for Ukraine."
Putin can count on our determination to be unshakable despite the incident, Pollard concluded.
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Readers' comments:Helios
I only hope that their nuclear missiles will not take off due to a "technical malfunction".
Colin GambleClearly, wait for new attempts to draw us into the conflict to justify a nuclear strike.
Mr Thomas LewisMaybe Wallace will make a good prime minister, eh?
DanLDid he really release it?
Maybe the rocket just fell out of the plane?
Andrew MortonIf the Russian "Su" launch missiles without an order, there is something to think about...
Giggity"Released", not "shot", and besides, not at us, but "out of sight".
And we, trembling, suspend intelligence operations... My God, what only the Russians will think of us!
Mrs MeldrewAnd where is the return fire?
Martin CaseySo Britain is the howling party?
HeliosLong ago!
