Russian aircraft flies within several feet of US navy plane over Mediterranean Sea

While such interactions are not rare between the United States and Russia, it comes at a particularly delicate time and a heightened concern about any accidents or miscalculations.

Russian aircraft came close to three US navy P-8A aircraft while they were flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean.

A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said in one of the incidents, the Russian aircraft came within several feet of one of the US navy planes.

While the United States has said it will not send troops to Ukraine if Russia invades , Washington has sent thousands of additional troops to eastern Europe to help reassure Nato allies.