A Russian fighter jet \u201creleased a missile\u201d in the vicinity of a British aircraft in international airspace over the Black Sea because of a technical malfunction, the UK defence secretary, Ben Wallace<\/a>, has revealed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are incredibly lucky that the episode did not become worse,\u201d said Wallace. He also accused Russia<\/a> of sometimes acting recklessly by flying as close as 15ft to Nato aircraft.<\/p>\n The episode on 29 September has prompted Wallace to ensure that routine UK civilian-style flights over the Black Sea, in place since 2019, are now escorted by armed aircraft.<\/p>\n He told the Commons the incident occurred in \u201cinternational airspace\u201d, adding that an \u201cunarmed RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint\u201d plane was \u201cinteracted with\u201d by two Russian SU-27s, one of which \u201creleased a missile in the vicinity of the RAF Rivet Joint beyond visual range\u201d.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt is not unusual for aircraft to be shadowed and this day was no different.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring that interaction however, it transpired that one of the SU-27 aircraft released a missile in the vicinity of the RAF Rivet Joint beyond visual range.<\/p>\n A Russian Su-27 flies close to a US Air Force reconnaissance flight during a close encounter over the Baltic in 2016. Click to enlarge<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cThe total time of the interaction between the Russian aircraft and the Rivet Joint was approximately 90 minutes. The patrol completed and the aircraft returned to base.\u201d<\/p>\n Wallace told the Commons that Russia had blamed the missile release on a \u201ctechnical malfunction\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIn light of this potentially dangerous engagement, I have communicated my concerns directly to my Russian counterpart, defence minister [Sergei] Shoigu, and the chief of defence staff in Moscow.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cIn my letter I made clear the aircraft was unarmed, in international airspace, and following a pre-notified flight path. I felt it was prudent to suspend these patrols until a response was received by the Russian state.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reply by the Russian minister of defence on 10 October stated they have conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the incident and stated it was a technical malfunction of the SU-27 fighter.<\/p>\n \u201cThey also acknowledge that the incident took place in international airspace.\u201d<\/p>\n He said he had also been in touch with his Turkish counterparts over the episode, saying Turkey had offered all the assistance the UK required.<\/p>\n Wallace said: \u201cWe do not consider this as a deliberate escalation by Russia. Our analysis is this was a malfunction, but it a reminder of quite how dangerous things can be when you choose to use your fighters in the manner the Russians have done over many periods of time.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cWhile this was obviously the release of a weapon, we have seen very very close flying next to US, Nato and UK assets over the last few years.\u201d.<\/p>\n In one event, he said, a Russian fighter went within 15ft of a Nato aircraft. \u201cThat is reckless, unnecessary and put at risk many people\u2019s lives; we are incredibly lucky it did not become worse.\u201d<\/p>\n Wallace said that despite the conflict, \u201cit is possible to communicate with the Russian military defence when we need to\u201d. He said there was a constant line of communication available, but that the episode showed the UK was walking a tightrope in which the right calibration was critical.<\/p>\n He said the west was dealing with a Russian leadership \u201cnot beyond making the wrong calculation or believing the rules do not apply to them\u201d.<\/p>\n Wallace also said he had travelled to Washington for urgent consultations this week to make sure \u201cwe all understand our planning processes\u201d, a phrase that, without directly mentioning the possible Russian use of nuclear weapons, underscored British concern that Vladimir Putin may act rashly as his forces are pushed back.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Su-27.jpg\")
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