Russia intercepted this Wednesday, February 17, three French army planes over the Black Sea, the theater of competition between Moscow and NATO, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. According to this source, two Russian Su-27 fighters went to meet a KC-135 refueller and two French Mirage 2000s detected over international waters and “approaching” the Russian borders. “Once the foreign planes turned around and were no longer heading towards Russia’s borders, the two Russian fighters returned to their base,” Moscow said, adding that the interception had taken place “in accordance with international rules ”.
The Black Sea, whose only escape routes are the Bosporus to the west, held by the Turks, and the Kerch Strait to the north, de facto held by the Russians, is a geopolitical crossroads where Russian influence intersects with that of of the Atlantic Alliance. This interception is not a first since Russian fighters regularly approach Western planes that fly around Russia, in the Black Sea, in the Baltic, or even in the Pacific, most of the time without incident. In June 2020, four Russian bombers were also intercepted 40 km from Alaska, according to the Pentagon. Two weeks earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry had released footage showing two US B-1 bombers intercepted after flying over the Baltic and Black Seas near Russia.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
