Four British Eurofighter Typhoons “Ambush” Two Russian Fighter Jets Over Black Sea
Recently, Russian defense media reported that four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets "ambushed" two unidentified Russian fighter jets over the Black Sea airspace. This "ambush" by the Eurofighter Typhoons highlights the increasing tension and hostility in the Black Sea airspace.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Recently, Russian defense media reported that four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets “ambushed” two unidentified Russian fighter jets over the Black Sea airspace.
This “ambush” by the Eurofighter Typhoons highlights the increasing tension and hostility in the Black Sea airspace.
According to the Russian media, the Royal Air Force (RAF) deployed an RC-135W “Rivet Joint” electronic reconnaissance aircraft to the Black Sea, accompanied by two Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
The report stated that the RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoons activated their transponders during the RC-135W escort mission.
The British RC-135W is a specialized electronic reconnaissance aircraft capable of conducting strategic and tactical missions across various theaters.
Its array of sensors allows it to “absorb” all types of electronic signals emitted by communication systems, radars, and other equipment.
The Russian media report further mentioned that during the Black Sea flight, the two Eurofighter Typhoons separated from the RC-135W.
As soon as the electronic reconnaissance aircraft was isolated, two unidentified Russian fighter jets began approaching the British RC-135W, seemingly taking advantage of its solitary status.
In a strategic move, two other Eurofighter Typhoons, which had also been escorting the RC-135W but had deactivated their transponders, suddenly appeared near the Russian jets.
Deactivating transponders is a tactical military maneuver that helps aircraft avoid detection by the enemy and minimize their electronic footprint, making them harder to detect and track by ground and airborne radars.
However, flying without an active transponder in civilian airspace poses a collision risk, as civilian aircraft cannot ascertain the position of the non-transmitting aircraft.
Western defense analysts praised the Eurofighter Typhoons’ maneuver as clever, noting that the four fighter jets successfully “chased away” the Russian aircraft from the reconnaissance plane.
They described the British jets’ actions as akin to “toying” with the Russian fighters.
Recently, the Russian Ministry of Defense noted an “increased frequency” of American and NATO reconnaissance aircraft and drone flights over the Black Sea airspace.
It alleged that these aircraft and drones are conducting “intelligence and targeting” operations for modern weapons supplied by Washington to Ukraine to strike Russian facilities.
“This indicates increased involvement of the United States and NATO countries in the Ukraine conflict, siding with the Kyiv regime,” stated the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The surge in American and NATO reconnaissance drone and aircraft flights over the Black Sea coincides with Ukraine’s large-scale MGM-140 ATACMS missile strikes on several Russian military positions in Crimea.
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has ordered officials to prepare “countermeasures” against American and NATO drone flights over the Black Sea airspace.
Belousov’s warning serves as a clear message that Moscow is now ready to take more aggressive actions against U.S. and NATO drones, significantly increasing the likelihood of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO, led by Washington. — DSA
