Russian aircraft flew low over the UK aircraft carrier, dropping 10 sonobuoys, prompting British alarm.

On July 6, a "cat-and-mouse" drama unfolded over Norwegian airspace. The UK Ministry of Defence issued a statement saying two British fighter jets took off from the HMS Prince of Wales to intercept a Russian maritime patrol aircraft that repeatedly flew at low altitude near the carrier, accompanying it until it departed.

The UK accused the Russian aircraft of two offenses:

First, flying at low altitude near the carrier was "entirely unnecessary," and the aircraft failed to respond to international aviation safety frequencies, suggesting the Russian pilots were unprofessional and unsafe.

Second, the aircraft dropped ten sonobuoys in the vicinity of the carrier.

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps seized the moment to amplify: "Russia’s threat exists across underwater, surface, land, air, space, and cyberspace—across all domains." BBC added context: the HMS Prince of Wales is currently operating near Iceland under NATO command, carrying 1,500 British troops, accompanied by the Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan and F-35 fighters. This marks the first time NATO has conducted an aerial alert operation from a European-based aircraft carrier.

The Russian side has not yet responded.

But this isn’t the first clash between Britain and Russia this month:

On June 16, a Russian frigate fired warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel.

On June 14, British forces intercepted for the first time a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the English Channel.

Earlier in June, UK Chief of the Defence Staff General Nick Carter stated that Russia has been continuously "testing, challenging, and probing our defenses," adding that they are "raising the stakes and risks, crossing red lines."

To be honest, if you think it's unprofessional and unsafe—then you're absolutely right! The Russian patrol aircraft dropping sonobuoys clearly aimed to map the acoustic signature of the HMS Prince of Wales. The carrier showing up at Russia’s doorstep while flying the NATO flag, naturally invites such scrutiny. Why didn’t the UK complain about “unprofessionalism and danger” when its own aircraft approached Russian airspace near the Black Sea? Meanwhile, NATO keeps warning of a possible Russian attack before 2030. Just as the carrier arrives near Iceland, sonobuoys are deployed—this prelude is quite synchronized. The hypocrisy of “thief shouting robbery,” Western powers certainly play better than anyone else.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870050341982472/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.