Russian jet fighters Su-27 of the Russian Knights aerobatic team perform during an air show in Kubinka, Russia, May 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Pavel Bednyakov)
After the U.S. reconnaissance planes turned away from the Russian state border, the Russian fighter safely returned to the airfield.
MOSCOW, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled over the Black Sea on Sunday to intercept a U.S. Navy radio-technical reconnaissance aircraft, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"On August 9, Russian airspace control systems detected an air target approaching the Russian state border over the neutral waters of the Black Sea," the ministry's Zvezda broadcasting service said.
The crew of the Su-27 fighter jet identified the aerial objects as U.S. Navy EP-3E Aries radio reconnaissance aircraft, it added.
"After the U.S. reconnaissance planes turned away from the Russian state border, the Russian fighter safely returned to the airfield," Zvezda said, adding that no violation of the Russian state border was allowed.
The Russian aircraft proceeded in strict compliance with international airspace rules, it said. ■