Three times over the past weekend, Russian military fighters harassed and shadowed US Navy planes on patrol in the Mediterranean, at one point coming within five feet of a anti-submarine aircraft, ABC News reports.
P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft were buzzed by unspecified Russian aircraft as they were patrolling the eastern Mediterranean, with the US, Russia and other countries’ military on edge with a potential conflict on the horizon because of Ukraine.
“While no one was hurt, interactions such as these could result in miscalculations and mistakes that lead to more dangerous outcomes,” Department of Defense spokesman Capt. Mike Kafka said. “The U.S. will continue to operate safely, professionally and consistent with international law in international waters and airspace. We expect Russia to do the same.”