When Venezuela intercepted a United States aircraft over the Caribbean Sea, it not only used a Russian fighter to do so, it took a page directly out of the Russian playbook.
Dangerous Russian actions in international airspace have been a consistent problem for U.S. forces over the last several years, as relations between Moscow and Washington remain tense. Friday’s encounter involving a U.S. EP-3 Aries reconnaissance plane and a Venezuelan SU-30 Flanker fighter was a similar example of this dangerous conduct, according to U.S. Southern Command.
“This latest action also demonstrates Russia’s irresponsible military support to the illegitimate Maduro regime and adds to Maduro’s growing legacy of reckless and negligent behavior, which undermines international rule of law and efforts to counter illicit trafficking,” Southern Command said in a statement, referring to the government of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. recognized opposition party leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s interim president.
The Aries aircraft was traveling through international airspace as part of a regionally recognized and approved mission when the Russian-made Flanker “approached in an unprofessional manner” and “aggressively shadowed the EP-3 at an unsafe distance in international airspace for a prolonged period of time,” according the statement.
The Pentagon has used near-identical language in previous statements regarding Russian intercepts.
1 of 2 JUST RELEASED #Venezuela SU-30 Flanker “aggressively shadowed” a U.S. EP-3 aircraft at an unsafe distance July 19, jeopardizing the crew & aircraft. The EP-3 was performing a multi-nationally recognized & approved mission in international airspace over #CaribbeanSea. pic.twitter.com/edjmPqXbmP
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) July 21, 2019
The most recent example was in early June, when a Russian SU-35 fighter intercepted a U.S. PA-8A Poseidon in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea. Like the Venezuelan example, the Poseidon was also a reconnaissance aircraft. A statement from the U.S. Navy 6th Fleet at the time reflected Southern Command’s language.
“While the Russian aircraft was operating in international airspace, this interaction was irresponsible,” the 6th Fleet said. “We expect them to behave within international standards set to ensure safety and prevent incidents.”
It’s quite possible the Venezuelan pilots are getting tips from the Russians themselves, said former Air Force F-16 pilot J.V. Venable.
“Generally, there’s some kind of contractual assistance where you will have a pilot from that nation come in and help you out,” Venable, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told the Washington Examiner.
2 of 2: This action demonstrates #Russia’s irresponsible military support to Maduro’s illegitimate regime & underscores Maduro’s recklessness & irresponsible behavior, which undermines int’l rule of law & efforts to counter illicit trafficking. Pics & vids https://t.co/848FdmAeaE pic.twitter.com/1W9syCd1xs
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) July 21, 2019
Venable said he saw a similar situation in Ethiopia, where Russian pilots were training and flying beside Ethiopian pilots in Russian-made MiG-21 and MiG-27 fighters.
Following the recognition of Guaidó as Venezuela’s president by many Western countries earlier this year, Russia rushed to the aid of current President Maduro, claiming the West was attempting a coup. While Russia has long propped up the Maduro regime, the Kremlin’s support since the election crisis has ranged from economic, such as the 36,000 tons of wheat sent to Venezuela in January, to militarily, such as a contingent of mercenaries from the Wagner Group sent to protect Maduro himself.
Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton also condemned the Friday encounter.
“Venezuelans want an end to the grave humanitarian crisis and the senseless arbitrary repression,” Bolton said in a Twitter post Monday. “Instead, Maduro seeks to engage in aggressive posturing against the U.S.”
Venable downplayed the severity of the intercept itself, noting that the video released by Southern Command wasn’t necessarily as dangerous or unusual as it may seem.
“We don’t know what the pilot was doing with the radar and how ‘aggressive’ he got with his weapon systems, but from the flying perspective, this is all relatively benign.”
