Healey condemns Russian flybys of RAF Rivet Joint over Black Sea

John Healey condemned two Russian warplanes after they repeatedly and dangerously intercepted an unarmed RAF rivet joint over the Black Sea last month. A Russian Su-35 triggered the aircraft's emergency systems and disabled its autopilot, while a Su-27 made six passes and came within six metres of the nose of the RAF plane.

John Healey on Russian pilots

The Defence Secretary praised the RAF crew and said the incident showed dangerous and unacceptable behaviour by Russian pilots towards an unarmed aircraft operating in international airspace. He said, "These actions create a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation."

Healey also said, "This incident will not deter the UK's commitment to defend Nato, our allies and our interests from Russian aggression."

Rivet Joint over the Black Sea

The Ministry of Defence said the Rivet Joint was on a routine international flight helping secure Nato's eastern flank when the interceptions took place. The RAF's RC-135W Rivet Joint is operated by No 51 Squadron and typically flies out of a base in Lincolnshire.

The aircraft uses advanced sensors to intercept and analyse signals across the electromagnetic spectrum, providing real-time strategic and tactical intelligence. That made the encounter more than a close pass: the Su-35's effect on the aircraft's systems and the Su-27's repeated runs turned a routine patrol into a direct test of air safety over the Black Sea.

September 2022 Black Sea

The Ministry of Defence described the episode as the most dangerous Russian action since 2022. It followed a similar incident in September 2022, when a Russian pilot fired two missiles at a Rivet Joint over the Black Sea.

For crews flying the aircraft now, the immediate lesson is simple: the route remained in international airspace, but the risk level around it changed fast enough to trigger emergency systems and a public warning from the Defence Secretary.