Washington (CNN) A Russian Su-27 jet performed an unsafe intercept of a US Navy surveillance plane while it was flying in international airspace over the Black Sea Monday, three defense officials told CNN. The American pilots reported that the Russian jet came within 5 feet of the US plane, according to two of the officials. The Russian jet's action forced the US Navy aircraft to end its mission prematurely, one of the officials said. The US State Department issued a statement late Monday accusing the Russians of "flagrantly violating existing agreements and international law." A Sukhoi Su 27 fighter jet of the Russkiye Vityazi [Russian Knights] aerobatic team performs during an air show.

Source: CNN January 29, 2018 17:00 UTC