The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported on social media that a Russian Su-35 fighter jet intercepted a Polish L410 Turbolet over the Black Sea in an act described as unacceptable and aggressive. The ministry said the Russian pilots intentionally stirred up turbulence and created serious difficulties for the Polish aircraft to maintain control during the interception on May 5, which caused the plane to lose altitude. (Source: Romanian Ministry of Defense)
The Polish aircraft was part of a patrol over the Black Sea tied to Frontex, the European Union border control agency. It participated in Operation Multi-Purpose Sea Operation West Black Sea 2023, a mission focused on monitoring migration and security in the region. The ministry noted that the interception occurred at 13:20, about 60 kilometers east of Romanian airspace. (Source: Romanian Ministry of Defense)
According to the ministry, the Polish plane managed to regain level flight after the initial loss of altitude and subsequently landed at Mihail Kogalniceanu airport around 13:50. The incident was framed as a serious breach of safety and protocol, given the unarmed nature of the Polish aircraft conducting Frontex monitoring activities. (Source: Romanian Ministry of Defense)
The Romanian statement underscored that the aggressive behavior by a Russian military aircraft targeting an unarmed aircraft on a Frontex mission is unacceptable and raises concerns about regional safety and airspace norms. The ministry reiterated its commitment to documenting such encounters and cooperating with regional partners to ensure safe operations over the Black Sea. (Source: Romanian Ministry of Defense)
Earlier reports had noted a separate stop of a Polish plane over the Black Sea, illustrating ongoing tensions and the high level of scrutiny surrounding airspace activities in this area. The sequence of events reflects the broader context of European security efforts to monitor migrant flows and maintain stability in the Black Sea basin. (Source: Romanian Ministry of Defense)