Russia says French aircraft intercepted while approaching airspace over Black Sea

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) — Russia on Tuesday claimed that it foiled an attempt to violate its airspace over the Black Sea by French aircraft.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry said it had dispatched a Su-27 fighter jet, claiming that its crew identified one of the aircraft as an E-3F long-range control plane belonging to the French Air Force.

It added that two French Rafale-S fighter jets were also identified.

"As the Russian fighter approached, foreign military aircraft made a turn from the State Border of the Russian Federation and left the airspace over the Black Sea," the statement said.

Noting that there had been no violation of Russian airspace, the statement said the Russian jet's flight was in "strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters, without crossing air routes or dangerously approaching aircraft of a foreign state."