US Reconnaissance Aircraft Patrol over Black Sea
On Monday, a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft conducted a patrol mission over the Black Sea, according to data from Flightradar24. The Boeing RC-135U Combat Sent departed from the Royal Air Force base in Mildenhall, United Kingdom, and flew a route over the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
The aircraft entered Black Sea airspace, flying near the Crimean Peninsula before returning to its base. The RC-135U Combat Sent is a highly specialized electronic reconnaissance plane operated by the United States.
Mission and Capabilities
This aircraft’s primary role is to collect and analyze radar emissions and electronic signals from foreign military systems. It supports intelligence and countermeasure development for both U.S. and NATO forces.
Increased Surveillance since 2022
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, U.S. and NATO surveillance over the Black Sea has intensified. Patrols are commonly carried out by RC-135, RQ-4 Global Hawk, and P-8A Poseidon aircraft to monitor Russian military movements near Crimea and across the Black Sea region.
International Reactions
These operations take place in international airspace, but Moscow often condemns them as provocative. Despite this, such surveillance remains crucial for Western intelligence efforts along NATO's eastern border.
"Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, U.S. and NATO surveillance flights over the Black Sea region have intensified."
Author's summary: U.S. reconnaissance flights over the Black Sea have increased to monitor Russian activity near Crimea, playing a vital role in NATO’s intelligence gathering despite Russian protests.