MOSCOW, December 14. /TASS/. A Russian Su-35S multi-role air superiority fighter chased away a US F-22 stealth fighter, firing flares to impede two Russian Su-25 close air support aircraft over Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"On December 13, two Su-25 close air support aircraft escorted a humanitarian convoy near the city of Mayadin (on the western bank of the Euphrates River). A US F-22 fighter approached them from the eastern bank. By firing flares, the F-22 was creating hindrances for the two Russian Su-25 jets. A Su-35S fighter, engaged in air escort tasks at the height of 10,000 meters, rapidly approached the F-22 from the rear, and the US fighter left the area," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said Western media reports about F-22 intercepting Russian jets in Syria were "just another wishful thinking by certain US and UK media."

Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman, earlier told TASS that Russia’s Su-25 aircraft were "immediately" intercepted by two US F-22 jets after they crossed into the restricted airspace of the so-called deconfliction zone on the western bank of the Euphrates River.