WATCH: Russian Jet Flies Less Than Two Metres From US Aircraft

Pictures courtesy: US Navy.

A Russian jet has flown less than two metres from an American EP-3 aircraft over the Black Sea.

The Russian defence ministry says its actions were in accordance with international airspace rules; a distance of 1.5m between the SU-27 Russian warplane and the American aircraft was reported.

The US Navy says the interception by the Russian jet lasted two hours and 40 minutes.

Incidents have been recorded between Russian and NATO aircraft in recent years, who both conduct operations in the airspace over the Black Sea, including a Russian SU-27 fighter which reportedly flew within three metres of a US reconnaissance plane in the same region.

The Russian defence ministry has defended its pilots, stating they were attempting to prevent an airspace violation.

The US Navy said that the Russian jets directly crossed the American aircraft's flight path:

"The Russian military is within its right to operate within international airspace, but they must behave within international standards set to ensure safety and prevent incidents."