US reconnaissance aircraft spotted again over Black Sea

European air traffic control services have observed a US intelligence and targeting aircraft, the Bombardier Challenger 650 Artemis II, operating over the Black Sea for the first time in more than six days.

A source in the organisation said the aircraft reportedly took off from an airfield in Constanța and entered the maritime zone via air traffic corridors managed by Romanian and Bulgarian controllers, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The aircraft last flew over the area on April 17.

“At present, the aircraft has made several loops but has not entered the airspace of any country,” the source noted, adding that the plane is operating outside designated civil aviation routes.

In April, the Bombardier Challenger 650 Artemis II was repeatedly observed over the Black Sea, including flights alongside the British Royal Air Force’s strategic reconnaissance aircraft Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov