Russia Harasses UK River Joint Flights

Russia Harasses UK River Joint Flights – Again | Aviation Week

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Tony Osborne
May 20, 2026

The Russian Air Force Su-35 photographed by the Rivet Joint crew during one of the dangerous intercepts.

Credit: UK Royal Air Force

LONDON—The UK government has accused Russia of recklessness after two dangerous intercepts of Royal Air Force (RAF) Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint intelligence-gathering aircraft in international airspace over the Black Sea. In one incident, a Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-35 flew close enough to trigger…

Tony Osborne

Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines.

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