US Navy releases Videos and Pictures of Russian Su-35s making unsafe intercept of P-8A over Eastern Mediterranean

US Navy releases Videos and Pictures of Russian Su-35s making unsafe intercept of P-8A over Eastern Mediterranean

By Dario Leone
May 28 2020
Share this article

The two Su-35 fighters flew close underneath the wings of the P-8A Poseidon.

On May 26, 2020 two Russian Su-35 fighters intercepted a US Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft flying over the Eastern Mediterranean. The two fighters flew close underneath the wings of the Poseidon. For this reason, the intercept was deemed unsafe by the Americans:

US Navy releases Videos and Pictures of Russian Su-35s making unsafe intercept of P-8A over Eastern Mediterranean

‘For the third time in two months, Russian pilots flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while intercepting a U.S. Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft in the U.S. 6th Fleet,’ the US Navy said in a news release.

‘On May 26, 2020, a U.S. Navy P-8A aircraft was flying in the Eastern Mediterranean over international waters and was intercepted by two Russian Su-35 aircraft over a period of 65 minutes. The intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional due to the Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously, restricting the P-8A’s ability to safely maneuver.

US Navy releases Videos and Pictures of Russian Su-35s making unsafe intercept of P-8A over Eastern Mediterranean

‘The unnecessary actions of the Russian Su-35 pilots were inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules, and jeopardized the safety of flight of both aircraft.

‘While the Russian aircraft was operating in international airspace, this interaction was irresponsible. We expect them to operate within international standards set to ensure safety and to prevent incidents, including the 1972 Agreement for the Prevention of Incidents On and Over the High Seas (INCSEA). Actions like these increase the potential for midair collisions.

US Navy releases Videos and Pictures of Russian Su-35s making unsafe intercept of P-8A over Eastern Mediterranean

‘This incident follows two unsafe interactions in April, over the same waters. In all cases, the U.S. aircraft were operating in international airspace, consistent with international law, with due regard for safety of flight, and did not provoke this Russian activity.’

As we have previously explained in one of the previous two “interactions” a Russian Su-35 fighter jet reportedly conducted a high-speed inverted maneuver in front of a P-8A Poseidon, coming as close as 25 feet from the nose of the US aircraft.

 P-8A Print
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. P-8A Poseidon Air Test and Evaluation Squadron ONE (VX-1) Pioneers, JA955 / 167955. NAS Patuxent River, MD

In that case US Navy officials said that the actions of the Su-35 fighter jet were ‘irresponsible.’

Photo and video credit: US Navy


Share this article

Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share this article


Share this article
Share this article

Always up to date! News and offers delivered directly to you!

Get the best aviation news, stories and features from The Aviation Geek Club in our newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.



    Share this article
    Back to top
    My Agile Privacy
    This website uses technical and profiling cookies. Clicking on "Accept" authorises all profiling cookies. Clicking on "Refuse" or the X will refuse all profiling cookies. By clicking on "Customise" you can select which profiling cookies to activate. We and our selected ad partners can store and/or access information on your device, such as cookies, unique identifiers, browsing data. You can always choose the specific purposes related to profiling by accessing the advertising preferences panel, and you can always withdraw your consent at any time by clicking on "Manage consent" at the bottom of the page.

    List of some possible advertising permissions:

    You can consult: our list of advertising partners, the Cookie Policy and the Privacy Policy.
    Warning: some page functionalities could not work due to your privacy choices