For the first time since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we’re tracking a USN Boeing P-8A “Poseidon“ mission over the Black Sea.
Since the start of the war, there have been no surveillance missions over the Black Sea by manned aircraft, but this type of mission has been left to drones.
Today, however, a Poseidon from Sigonella is carrying out a patrol mission off the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts.
It is interesting to note that the aircraft has come within 20 km of Snake Island, currently occupied by the Russian Navy, while remaining in Romanian airspace. This is certainly the closest encounter since the beginning of the war between a NATO aircraft and Russian troops directly involved in the conflict.
It should be noted that the P-8A disconnects the ADS-B transponder when it’s flying over the sea.