A “technical failure” in the international flight space above the Black Sea was originally communicated publicly in September 2022, but a year later more background information is now coming to light. A Russian jet reportedly tried to shoot down a British reconnaissance plane due to a misunderstanding.
According to information from the BBC, the reason for this was a radio message that was misunderstood by a Russian fighter pilot. It was previously known that two Russian SU-27 jets encountered a British RC-135 Rivet Joint in international airspace over the Black Sea in September 2022 and that one of the machines fired a guided missile.
Pilot thought about releasing fire
Russia officially blamed technical glitches, which the British government publicly confirmed. But on Thursday the BBC, citing three sources familiar with the matter, reported that intercepted Russian radio messages presented the situation differently.
Accordingly, the Russian ground station is said to have sent the ambiguous message to its pilots: “You have the target.” One of the pilots took this as a release to fire and fired, but the projectile missed the target.
Wild insults from a second Russian
“It was a miss, not a glitch,” the BBC wrote. The other Russian pilot, interpreting the radio message differently, turned away and insulted his wingman. The loose language shows a high level of non-existent professionalism, the BBC said.
The UK Ministry of Defense did not confirm the BBC report, but said in response: “Our aim has always been to ensure the security of our operations, avoid unnecessary escalations and keep the public and international community informed. ” was a “clear reminder” of the possible consequences of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “barbaric invasion” of Ukraine.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
