MOSCOW, October 24. /TASS/. A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a US RQ-4B Global Hawk reconnaissance drone approaching Russia’s state border over the Black Sea, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Tuesday.

"On October 24, 2023, Russian airspace control capabilities spotted an aerial target over the Black Sea approaching the state border of the Russian Federation. A Su-27 fighter jet from air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the aerial target and prevent it from violating Russia’s state border," the ministry said.

The Su-27 fighter’s crew identified the aerial targets as an RQ-4B Global Howk reconnaissance drone of the US Air Force, it said.

"As the Russian fighter approached it, the foreign reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle made a U-turn from the state border of the Russian Federation. The Russian aircraft safely returned to its home airbase, preventing the violation of Russia’s state border," the ministry stressed.

The Russian fighter jet strictly followed the international rules of using the airspace over neutral waters, complying with safety measures, the ministry added.