Russian military planes buzzed HMCS Toronto in Black Sea - Action News
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Russian military planes buzzed HMCS Toronto in Black Sea

Russia's military acted in an "unnecessarily provocative" manner when its aircraft circled a Canadian ship in the Black Sea on Sunday, says Canada's minister of national defence.

HMCS Toronto left Halifax for Black Sea in late July

Russian fighter jets circle Canadian frigate

10 years ago
Duration 2:28
Defence minister says HMCS Toronto was circled by Russian military aircraft as it moved to join a NATO mission in the Black Sea

Russia'smilitary acted in an "unnecessarily provocative"manner when its aircraft circled a Canadian ship in the Black Sea on Sunday, says Canada's minister of national defence.

"The acts perpetrated by Russia were unnecessarily provocative and are likely to increase tensions further," said Rob Nicholson in a written statement, saying it did not matter if the aircraft circling HMCS Toronto had posed nothreat.

The ship was circled by one surveillance plane and two fighter jets, according to the defence minister's office.

The frigate HMCS Toronto left Halifax in late July to replace HMCS Regina, which has been a part of the Standing NATO Maritime Forces since May.

"Canada and its allies are involved in security measures taken by the acts of military aggressionperpetrated by the Putin regime and because of the invasion of Ukraine," he said, calling on Russia to stop its "irresponsible actions."

This ship has about 250 crew on board and is participating in Operation Reassurance from Sept. 6 to27 along with several vessels from other nations.

Russian denial

NDP and Liberal foreign affairs critics said Russia's actions were not surprising.

HMCS Toronto passes through the Turkish Straits as it makes its way to the Black Sea on Sept. 6. (HMCS Toronto/Facebook)
"Clearly, this is something that is disturbing, but it's also in many ways not surprising," Paul Dewar, the NDP foreign affairs critic told CBC's Evan Solomon onPower and Politics. "This has been a kind of catandmouse game with the Russians."

The Russians view themselves as having domain in this part of the world, he said, but Canada has a presence there to support its allies.

It's important to avoid increasing tensions over the encounter, said Dewar, but "clearly there needs to be some strong diplomacy here after this incident."

Liberal foreign affairs critic Marc Garneaucalledthe move "totally unsurprising" and reminiscent of Soviet-era behaviour.

Early Tuesday, a report emerged from Russian state ITAR-Tass news agency news agency quoting General-Major Igor Konashenkov as saying two Russian aircraft had passed through the area on a routine flight but "without making an approach on the foreign military vessel."

With files from Reuters