The US Navy has sharply criticized as "unsafe" and "irresponsible" a Tuesday intercept of a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft by Russian Su-35 fighters over the Mediterranean Sea. This reported by Sputnik.

"For the third time in two months, Russian pilots flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while intercepting a US Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft," the Navy said in a May 26 statement.

The statement notes that the two Russian interceptors flew with the airliner-sized Poseidon for 65 minutes over international waters, adding that "the intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional due to the Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously, restricting the P-8A’s ability to safely maneuver."

"The unnecessary actions of the Russian Su-35 pilots were inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules, and jeopardized the safety of flight of both aircraft," the Navy added.

The press release included a video and photos of the encounter.