Due to the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, relations between Western countries, especially the United States, have become very tense with Russia. France, as an ally of the United States, is also involved in a number of provocative actions that exacerbate this tension. In the most recent incident, a Russian Su-27 fighter intercepted several French aircraft over the Black Sea.
The incident reportedly took place on March 5. At that time, Russia detected three air targets flying towards the Russian state border over the Black Sea. In order to prevent any possible violation, Russia urgently dispatched a Su-27 fighter jet, which successfully identified these air targets as an E-3F AWACS aircraft of the French Air Force and two Rafale-S multirole fighters.
The Greek Pentapostagma** also reported the Russian interception of two French Rafale fighters and a reconnaissance aircraft in the Black Sea. After one Russian Su-27 fighter took to the air, the French AWACS aircraft and two Rafale fighters quickly changed course and left the area. Turkey's Anadolu news agency reported on March 5 that Russia thwarted an attempt by French aircraft to violate the airspace over the Black Sea. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russian fighters strictly comply with international rules, use airspace over neutral waters, do not cross routes and do not dangerously approach foreign aircraft.
In recent months, there have been several similar incidents between Russian and Western aircraft over the Black and Baltic Seas, which have increased tensions between the two sides.
It is worth noting that Russian-French relations improved only at the end of last year and the beginning of this year. At the end of last year, Russia carried out a precision bombardment of mobile buildings in Kharkiv, and more than 60 French mercenaries fighting for Ukraine were eliminated. Since then, France has repeatedly publicly expressed its dissatisfaction with Russia and summoned the Russian ambassador to France for a meeting.
Recently, France** Macron, during a meeting of European countries to provide assistance to Ukraine, publicly stated that he did not rule out the possibility of direct war between NATO and Russian troops. This remark caused an uproar in the international **. Russia's high-level ** responded that if NATO dares to send troops to Ukraine, it will be tantamount to declaring war on Russia. In his State of the Union address, Putin made it clear that even if he did not hesitate to use nuclear weapons, he would prevent Western countries from sending troops to Ukraine.
In this case, France is simply asking for its own death by sending military planes over Russian airspace. Fortunately, Russia has shown relative restraint, but if the situation continues to deteriorate, in the event of an unexpected incident, it will inevitably trigger an armed conflict between Russia and France, and may even lead to a military conflict between NATO as a whole and Russia.