Moscow: According to state media reports cited by the Russian Defence Ministry, a Russian Sukhoi-27 fighter jet intercepted and escorted three French military planes near the Russian border over the Black Sea.

The ministry stated on Tuesday that a Su-27 fighter was dispatched from the air defence forces after Russian radars detected three air targets heading towards the Russian state border over the Black Sea, as reported by state-run TASS news agency.

The French aircraft were identified as an E-3F long-range radar detection and control aircraft, along with two Rafale-C multipurpose fighters belonging to the French air and space forces.

Upon the approach of the Russian fighter jet, the foreign military planes executed a U-turn away from Russia’s state border and exited the airspace over the Black Sea. The ministry clarified that there was no violation of the country’s border.