Russian fighter jet and Navy surveillance aircraft have close encounter

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161017-N-UZ648-054 CHESAPEAKE BAY, Md. (Oct. 17, 2016) A P-8A Poseidon assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 flies over USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) as the ship travels to its new home port of San Diego, California. Zumwalt was commissioned in Baltimore, Maryland, Oct. 15 and is the first in a three-ship class of the Navy’s newest, most technologically advanced multi-mission guided-missile destroyers. (U.S. Navy photo by Erik Hildebrandt/Released)

A Russian fighter jet came within feet of a Navy surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea while on a patrol. 

The P-8 Poseidon was approached Tuesday by a Russian Su-27 jet which flew alongside within 20 feet for five minutes.

Capt. Pamela Kunze spokesperson for US Naval Forces Europe said the interaction was “considered to be safe and professional by the P-8A’s mission commander,” the distance was unusually close.

“Distance is only one of many variables considered when defining what is safe and professional,” Kunze said. 

Most interactions over international seas and waters are safe and professional after considering the speed, distance, altitude, and other factors.

“U.S. Navy aircraft and ships routinely interact with Russian units in international seas and water and most interactions are safe and professional,” Kunze added.

Russian officials have called the incident a “welcoming maneuver” during a statement made on Friday, according to a Newsweek report.

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Rachael Kalinyak is an editorial intern with Network Solutions.