An armed Russian fighter jet passing over the Baltic Sea Monday flew within five feet of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft, two U.S. officials said in a report published Tuesday morning.
The Russian Su-27 jet advanced on the Air Force RC-135 aircraft “rapidly” and carried air-to-air missiles. The Russian plane then made a “provocative” flight maneuver, soaring “erratically” near the U.S. jet.
The threatening move comes amid a string of incidents between U.S. and Russian aircraft in the Baltic region. However, one official said this most recent incident stuck out from 35 others because of how “unsafe” it was, according to Fox News.
Syrian aircraft on Sunday attacked U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, prompting a warning from Russia. The attack wounded a number of Syrian Democratic Forces fighters and drove the group from the town. The bombing drew the attention of coalition aircraft, which “conducted a show of force and stopped the initial pro-regime advance toward the SDF-controlled town.”
After the attack, coalition officials contacted Russian officials on an established “de-confliction line” to try to calm the situation. After another Syrian attack, a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet downed a Syrian bomber.
Russia called the shootdown of the Syrian Air Force Su-22 jet a “cynical violation of Syria’ sovereignty.” Russia said it will treat U.S. or coalition aircraft that fly over any of its operating areas in western Syria as targets.
