Dramatic Photos Show the Exact Moment a Russian Jet Came Within Feet of a U.S. Plane

The Russian pilot can be seen in the cockpit in some images.

Earlier this week, a Russian fighter jet—armed with air-to-air missiles—came within five feet of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The Russian jet, an official told Fox News, was "provocative" and flying "erratically" at the time of the incident.

On Friday, the U.S. European Command released dramatic photos of the moment the two jets were within feet of each other. The photos show the Russian SU-27 coming so close to the wing of the U.S. RC-135U that the Russian pilot can be seen in the cockpit in some images.

AP Master Sgt Charles Larkin Snr/U.S. European Command

 

AP Master Sgt Charles Larkin Snr/U.S. European Command

Intercepts are common and are usually considered routine, but EUCOM said in this case on June 19 "due to the high rate of closure speed and poor control of the aircraft during the intercept, this interaction was determined to be unsafe."

Two days later, Sweden summoned Russia's ambassador after another SU-27 jet flew close to a Swedish Gulfstream reconnaissance plane over the Baltic.

With reporting from the Associated Press.