{"id":31715,"date":"2020-04-20T12:28:43","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T12:28:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/04\/20\/see-video-of-a-russian-jet-intercepting-us-navy-p-8-poseidon-for-second-time-in-less-than-a-week\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:39:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:39:53","slug":"see-video-of-a-russian-jet-intercepting-us-navy-p-8-poseidon-for-second-time-in-less-than-a-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/04\/20\/see-video-of-a-russian-jet-intercepting-us-navy-p-8-poseidon-for-second-time-in-less-than-a-week\/","title":{"rendered":"See video of a Russian jet intercepting US Navy P-8 Poseidon for second time in less than a week"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the past week, U.S. and European NATO forces have experienced a number of incursions from Russian jets, including a couple of “unprofessional” close passes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

A Russian jet intercepted a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon<\/a> surveillance aircraft over the Mediterranean sea on Sunday \u2014 marking the second instance in less than a week a Russian jet has intercepted a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon over the same waters, the Navy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the service, a Russian SU-35 intercepted the P-8 Poseidon twice over the course of 100 minutes as the aircraft was flying in international airspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first intercept was deemed safe and professional,\u201d the Navy\u2019s 6th Fleet said in a news release. \u201cThe second intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional due to the SU-35 a conducting high-speed, high-powered maneuver that decreased aircraft separation to within 25 feet, directly in front of the P-8A, exposing the U.S. aircraft to wake turbulence and jet exhaust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move prompted the P-8 Poseidon to descend to provide more distance between the two aircraft. The Navy said that the surveillance aircraft was operating at constant altitude and airspeed at the time of the altercation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 6th Fleet characterized the interception as \u201cirresponsible\u201d and out of line with international flight rules, adding that it put the safety of the P-8 Poseidon and the Russian jet at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnsafe actions\u200e increase the risk of miscalculation and potential for midair collisions,\u201d the 6th Fleet said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Russian SU-35 conducted a maneuver akin to this most recent episode on April 15, according to the Navy. In that case, the Navy said the Russian jet also came as close as 25 feet of the P-8 Poseidon as it conducted a high speed maneuver during a 42-minute interception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 6th Fleet said the Navy aircraft did not provoke the Russian jets and was complying with international law in both instances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BREAKING: Another unsafe #Russian<\/a> \ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\uddfa intercept of \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 @USNavy<\/a> P-8 in international airspace above #Mediterranean<\/a> Sea! The Russian aircraft got within 25 feet of the P-8, putting both crews in harm\u2019s way. We expect nothing less than professional & safe interactions!@USEmbRuPress<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gDdcQQRkOi<\/a><\/p>— U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa\/U.S. 6th Fleet (@USNavyEurope) April 19, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>