Ben Wallace gave information to the House of Commons. According to the report, the Russian Su-27 (NATO Reporting Name: Flanker) interacted with Royal Air Force RC-135W Rivet joint intelligence aircraft. The incident continued for about 90 minutes. According to intelligence data, Russian aircraft launched an air-to-air missile at the platform Ben Wallace said that the RAF platform was in the international airspace on the Black Sea. Flights were suspended until the second call after the missile launch. Russia replied allegation on October 10. According to Moscow, an investigation has been conducted into the circumstances of the incident. Russian officials blamed a “technical malfunction” for the launch.
The Royal Air Force restarted the intelligence flights with a fighter escort. According to radar data, two Typhoon FGR4s deployed from RAF Akrotiri Air Base in Greek Cyprus conducted an escort task to the RC-135W Rivet Joint.
NATO and the European countries, mostly North Atlantic Pact, provide intelligence and radar assistance with airborne early warning and control aircraft as well as special mission platforms. Russia closely follows these platforms since the beginning of the invasion “operation” in Ukraine. It is known that Moscow is very irritated by western intelligence platforms circling right around its area of operations. The Ukrainian and Western authorities accept that radar, control and intelligence support play a very big role in defenders’ success.
