Russian Jet Fires at British Spy Plane Following Misinterpreted Command
A Russian fighter jet attempted to shoot down a British spy plane carrying 30 crew members off the coast of Ukraine last September. The incident, initially attributed to a “technical malfunction,” has taken a new turn as intercepted Russian communications reveal that the pilot misinterpreted a command from the ground station, believing he had the authorization to fire at the British aircraft.
- Incident date: Last September.
- Location: Off the coast of Ukraine.
- Aircraft involved: Russian Su-27 fighter jet and British RAF Rivet Joint spy plane.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Missiles fired | Two, with the first missing the target and the second falling from the wing |
| Initial explanation | Technical malfunction, as stated by Moscow |
| Real cause | Miscommunication and misinterpretation of a command from a Russian ground station |
The British spy plane, an unarmed RAF Rivet Joint, was on a routine patrol in international airspace when it was followed by two Russian Su-27 fighter jets. During the 90-minute encounter, one of the jets fired two missiles near the RAF plane. The first missile missed the target, contradicting Moscow’s initial explanation of a “technical malfunction.” The pilot had misinterpreted the ambiguous command “you have the target” from the Russian ground station as permission to fire.
The intercepted communications reveal a serious lapse in professionalism, with the vague language used by the Russian ground station starkly contrasting the precise language typically used by NATO pilots. The incident, described as a “potentially dangerous engagement” by UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, led to the suspension of British patrols in the area. The UK had initially accepted Russia’s explanation, but the new evidence paints a different picture, highlighting a near-miss scenario that could have escalated to a war.
| RAF Rivet Joint Defined |
|---|
| The RAF Rivet Joint is a reconnaissance aircraft used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom. It is equipped with an array of sensors to intercept and identify a wide range of signals. Learn more about the RAF Rivet Joint on Wikipedia. |
The incident underscores the precarious nature of military operations and the potential for catastrophic outcomes stemming from miscommunications. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for clear and precise communication in high-stakes environments to prevent unintended escalations. The revelations call for a reassessment of the protocols and language used in military communications to avert such dangerous misunderstandings in the future.
Source: The Sun
