MOSCOW -- The Russian air force scrambled an SU-27 fighter jet to intercept a U.S. Navy Orion aircraft over the Black Sea, Russian news agencies reported Tuesday.
The encounter occurred Monday, but was only disclosed by the Russian air force Tuesday, which said it had determined the Orion was flying from the U.S. Atlantic Fleet based in Cyprus.
The Orion, the Navy's sole land-based antisubmarine warfare aircraft, was reportedly flying at 6,500 feet when the Russian jet flew alongside.
The Itar-Tass news service said the U.S. pilot did not respond to radio calls from the Russian craft, but rather abruptly altered course, gained altitude at high speed and sped away.
The Russian air force press service said last year SU-27s also were sent up intercept U.S. U-2 reconnaissance airplanes on the section of the border between Russia and Georgia.
There was no confirmation of the contact available from U.S. sources.
