Russia Says US Navy Reconnaissance Aircraft Intercepted Over Black Sea

The Russian military said it had intercepted a US P-8A Poseidon and U-2S reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea on July 22.

“The forces of the air defense forces of the Black Sea and Baltic fleets escorted them,” said the military in a statement. “Violations of the State Border of the Russian Federation were not allowed.”

As of July 23, two military exercises were ongoing near the Black Sea; a Russian-led exercise, and a joint Ukrainian and US exercise. The region has been fraught with tension since Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Credit: Russian Defense Ministry via Storyful