Why Russian jets intercepting an RAF spy plane is 'serious incident'

The BBC's Frank Gardner explained how the incident highlighted tense relations between Russia and Nato.

Two Russian jets 'repeatedly and dangerously' intercepted an RAF spy plane over the Black Sea, with one Su-35 jet triggering emergency systems on the British aircraft, including disabling the autopilot.

An RAF Rivet Joint aircraft was repeatedly and dangerously intercepted by two Russian jets over the Black Sea, with one Su-35 aircraft flying close enough to trigger emergency systems on the British aircraft, including disabling the autopilot system.

The British Ministry of Defence accused Russian fighter jets of repeatedly and dangerously intercepting a Royal Air Force (RAF) unarmed spy plane over the Black Sea, with one Su-35 jet flying so close that it triggered emergency protocols, shutting down the autopilot mode.

Royal Air Force RC-135 surveillance sorties have been the subject of more interceptions over the Black Sea, with the UK Ministry of Defence labelling the actions of the Su-27 and Su-35 fighter pilots dangerous and unacceptable.

Two Russian jets 'repeatedly and dangerously' intercepted a British surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea last month, with the Su-27 at one point flying as close as six meters (19 feet) to the British plane's nose.

Two Russian jets have 'repeatedly and dangerously' intercepted a British Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft in April over the Black Sea, according to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence.