Russia Threatens To Shoot Down France's Spy Aircraft Over Black Sea

The Russian military tried to take down a French surveillance plane that was flying over the Black Sea in international airspace, indicating Moscow's growing aggression as its invasion of Ukraine falters, French defense officials warned on Thursday.

Sébastien Lecornu, the French military minister, stated on RTL radio that "a Russian air traffic control system threatened to shoot down French aircraft in the Black Sea when we were in a free international zone where we patrol," as per Dunya.

French Minister Alarmed by Russian Threats

(Photo : THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)
French air force soldiers fly in a French cargo Airbus A400M, carrying humanitarian aid bound for the Gaza strip via Egypt, from the Bricy Air Base, a French Air and Space Force base near Orleans, on November 20, 2023 amid ongoing battles between Israel and militants from the Palestinian Hamas movement.

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu has brought attention to an alarming incident involving a Russian air traffic control system threatening to shoot down French aircraft patrolling the Black Sea. Speaking on RTL radio, the minister emphasized the shift in Russia's behavior, noting a substantial departure from previous years and linking it to the challenges Russia faces on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Lecornu cited a specific incident a month ago, where Russian air traffic control targeted French planes in a free international zone, leading to an aggressive radio exchange. The minister highlighted the unprecedented nature of this intimidation attempt, characterizing it as a first in that particular area.

French air force pilots regularly conduct patrols on the eastern flank of NATO, a strategic move to enhance the alliance's defenses since Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago. The patrols involve various aircraft, including the deployment of AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) surveillance aircraft. Positioned high above the Black Sea, these aircraft utilize powerful radar and monitoring equipment to observe military activities, such as missile launches and airborne bombing runs, in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Russia's discontent with being monitored has manifested in previous incidents, including a fighter jet releasing a missile near a Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft in 2022 and a Russian fighter jet dumping fuel on a US Air Force surveillance drone in March 2023, leading to the drone's crash in the Black Sea, according to Telegraph.

France Boosts Vigilance Amid Russia Tensions

The defense minister also disclosed another concerning event involving a Russian warship near the Bay of the Seine, an inlet of the English Channel on France's Normandy coast. Despite being in international waters, the presence of the Russian vessel was interpreted as an attempt to intimidate France.

Lecornu recognized that these occurrences, such as alleged cyberattacks and propaganda, have historical origins tracing back to the Cold War. He expressed increased worry, stressing that "Russia is testing the boundaries with its aggressive actions."

During these rising tensions, Lecornu has asked his ministry to step up vigilance against possible Russian "sabotage and cyberattacks." President Emmanuel Macron's government is currently providing Ukraine with weapons and aid, focusing on the worth of avoiding Russia from succeeding in the ongoing crisis.

The latest updates quick inquiries about the changing relationship between France and Russia and the wider impact on European security, AFP reported.