UK: Russian jet fired missile near British spy plane over Black Sea

Britain’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace says a Russian aircraft fired a missile in the vicinity of an unarmed British spy plane over the Black Sea.

The incident was an apparent accident and not a deliberate escalation of tension, Wallace said in an address to the British parliament on Thursday.

Wallace also stated that he had expressed the government’s concern over the incident to Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

According to Wallace, an “unarmed RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint,” which is a spy plane, was “interacted with” by two Russian SU-27s, one of which “released a missile in the vicinity of the RAF Rivet Joint beyond visual range.”

The British defense secretary said the Russian defense ministry replied on October 10, confirmed the incident had occurred on September 29. Wallace said Moscow pointed the finger at a technical malfunction.

“We don’t consider this a deliberate escalation by the Russians, our analysis would concur it was a malfunction. However, it is a reminder of quite how dangerous things can be when you choose to use your fighters in the manner that the Russians have done over many periods of time,” Wallace told parliament.

Wallace said the British spy aircraft was patrolling in international airspace over the Black Sea, adding that patrols have now resumed, and British aircraft were now being escorted by warplanes.

Relations between London and Moscow are at historic lows after Russia began its military operation in Ukraine on February 24. Since the onset of operation, the United States, Britain and their European allies unleashed waves of unprecedented sanctions against the Kremlin and poured numerous batches of advanced weapons into Ukraine to help its army fend off Russian troops.

The UK not only gives military and civil support to Kiev but it also trains Ukrainian soldiers across the kingdom.  

As Ukraine has retaken territory in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a partial Russian mobilization and also boosted nuclear rhetoric.

Elsewhere in his address, Wallace warned Moscow against any use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, saying such a move by the Kremlin would have “severe consequences” for Russia.

British forces start training Ukrainian recruits into frontline soldiers

The recruits, operating in contingents of about 200, have been arriving from their home country to the UK.

Nobody should be alarmed by my urgent trip to D.C.: Wallace

The British defense secretary visited Washington earlier this week, prompting speculation as to whether a specific threat or piece of intelligence was behind the trip. However, Wallace told parliament on Thursday that there was no cause for alarm over his urgent trip to meet allies in the US.

“I went to the Pentagon, the State Department, the National Security Adviser and other meetings, and made sure that we all understand our planning processes about what we would do in the event of a whole range of things,” he said.

“I don't think people should be alarmed by it ... I would hope they would take comfort that my priority is, if necessary, getting on a plane to go and do that,” Wallace said.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk