Russian airspace control systems have been detecting numerous air targets approaching the country’s border over neutral waters in the Black Sea for several weeks. This reported by Sputnik.

A Russian Su-27 fighter has intercepted a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and a US Navy Poseidon patrol aircraft over the Black Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

"Russian airspace control systems detected two air targets approaching the Russian state border over the neutral waters of the Black Sea. To intercept targets, an Su-27 fighter from the air defence forces of the Southern Military District was scrambled", the ministry said.

The crew of the Russian fighter identified the aerial objects as a US Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft and a US Navy R-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft.

"After the US reconnaissance planes turned away from the Russian state border, the Russian fighter safely returned to the airfield ... No violation of the Russian state border by US reconnaissance aircraft was allowed", the statement says.