Russia’s Defense Ministry has reported the interception of three French warplanes over the Black Sea. The planes were over international waters but were approaching Russia’s border at the time.
Russian Su-27 fighters scrambled and intercepted the French planes, which turned around. There appears to have been no direct confrontation between the planes.
Interceptions of US planes in the Black Sea were common throughout much of 2020, and as with this incident they all came with the suggestion that tensions are higher than at any point since the Cold War.
The tensions are a concern, but the real feature is French planes. Previous interceptions have virtually always been US planes, and it is noteworthy that France is choosing to set itself up to confront Russia this time.
why even bother intercepting them. just wave at them.
The Russian air force would use this as an excersize to see what their pilots responce time would be.
What is a small short range French fighter doing over the Black Sea? The French don’t have any bases there.
The two were with a huge long range USAF refueling tanker, the sort that refuels the B-52’s so they can cruise the world.
The big tanker could drag along the two little fighters for a very long way, if they are rigged for ferry range with auxiliary tanks, and have no idea of being able to fight.
This was just an unrealistic stunt done solely as provocation, with France saying “me too,” as long as the US does the heavy lifting.
The French ought to be embarrassed.
The French are a Embarrassment , i remember my wifes farther a WW2 vet said about the french they would rather make love with their faces than fight.
The French will do nothing just like all NATO countries without the full support of the US , NATO countries without the support of the US would not have a cat in hells chance against Russia.
It’s extremely rare to see a correct use of “intercept.” Usually intercept is used for escort, but apparently in this case there was a change of course — “turned around” — which makes it an intercept.