Russia deploys jets to counter USA spy planes

The Russian Defence Ministry on Friday said and confirmed that it scrambled a Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft to intercept a rival US P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance jet heading towards the Russian airspace over the Black Sea most probably meant for spy job.

"A Su-27 fighter jet as part of the Southern Military District's air defences was scrambled to intercept the target. The crew flew the aircraft at a safe distance to the aerial target and identified it as a US P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance jet, which immediately changed the direction of its flight to fly away from the Russian state border," The ministry exclaimed.

The Russian flight was carried out in line with international rules and the fighter jet returned to its home base after completing the mission, the ministry added.