Russian fighter jet "released a missile" near U.K. spy plane, Britain's defense secretary reveals

Britain's defense secretary revealed Thursday that a Russian fighter jet released a missile near a Royal Air Force aircraft operating in international airspace over the Black Sea last month.

Ben Wallace told the House of Commons on Thursday that an unarmed RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint — a type of aircraft used for reconnaissance — "interacted with" two Russian SU-27s. One of the fighter jets "released a missile in the vicinity of" the British plane beyond visual range, he said.

While it is not unusual for planes to be shadowed in international airspace, Wallace said he suspended flights and demanded an explanation from Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.