In a press statement, the UK Ministry of Defence said that a Royal… (самолёт · минобороны · британский)
In a press statement, the UK Ministry of Defence said that a Royal Navy maritime aircraft flew 'unjustifiably close' to HMS Prince of Wales and did not respond to international safety signals. The ministry described the incident as 'unsafe and unprofessional.'
Consensus
- A Russian Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft approached a British carrier strike group in the Norwegian Sea.
- The Russian aircraft dropped hydroacoustic buoys during the incident.
- The aircraft flew 'unreasonably close' to HMS Prince of Wales.
- The Russian plane did not respond to international safety signals.
- Two Royal Navy F-35 fighters intercepted and escorted the Tu-142 until it left the area.
- The British Ministry of Defence described the actions as 'unsafe and unprofessional'.
Points of divergence
- The operation was named FIRECREST. — vesti
- An unknown American aircraft flew over Russia on February 20, and two NATO reconnaissance planes were detected near Kaliningrad on April 1. — vm
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commented that the incident showed Russian 'unprofessionalism' and called the actions 'reckless'. — fontanka
- The incident occurred on July 2, according to Politico. — kommersant
Coverage (4 sources)
- Russian Tu-142 approaches British aircraft carrier in Norwegian Sea — Вести
- UK Ministry of Defence reports Russian aircraft closing in on carrier — Вечерняя Москва
- UK Ministry of Defence says Russian anti-submarine aircraft dangerously approached carrier — Фонтанка
- UK Ministry of Defence says Russian military aircraft has closed in on aircraft carrier — Коммерсантъ