Russian Su-27 Flanker fighter intercepts three RAF aircraft over Black Sea

Moscow has said one its fighters prevented three British military aircraft from violating Russian borders above the Black Sea.

The Defence Ministry said its air control systems had detected multiple aircraft above the area as they approached its border.

A Su-27 Flanker was dispatched to prevent the aircraft from violating Russia’s borders and the fighter identified the aircraft as an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and two Typhoon fighter jets.

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The ministry said the three aircraft turned from the border after the Su-27 approached.

"The Russian plane returned safely to its home airfield. There was no violation of the state border of the Russian Federation," it said.

It said the flight of the Russian Su-27 was carried out in "strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters, without crossing air routes or dangerously approaching aircraft of a foreign state".

Britain's UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the RAF had been operating in the area, but gave a slightly different account of the aircraft involved.

It said: "An RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint [electronic surveillance] aircraft and Typhoon escort supported by a Voyager for air-to-air refuelling, carried out a routine operation in international airspace over the Black Sea today."

RAF aircraft routinely operate safely and legally in international airspace and, in this case, on a routine, pre-planned and notified flight path.