National Security

New photos show Russian jet getting dangerously close to Air Force plane

By David Brown

Published June 23, 2017 3:56pm ET

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New photos show Russian jet getting dangerously close to Air Force plane — A U.S. RC-135U flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea was intercepted by a Russian SU-27 Flanker June 19, 2017. Due to the high rate of closure speed and poor control of the aircraft during the intercept, this interaction was determined to be unsafe. (Courtesy photo/Released) | Master Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr

U.S. European Command has released a series of photos showing just how close a Russian Su-27 jet came to a U.S. Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea on Monday.

Original reports said the Russian plane came within 5 feet, but Pentagon sources disputed it got that close. They did say, however, that the intercept was “unprofessional,” and came within about 30 feet.

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Air Force David Brown Department of Defense (Department of War) Russia