The Russian SU-27 jet came within metres of the US plane in an aggressive interception which lasted about 25 minutes.
The US Navy blasted “irresponsible” Russia for putting its EP-3 Aries pilots at risk as they flew over the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, the Navy insisted the plane had been flying within international law and did not provoke the Russian reaction.
Following the incident on Monday, it said in a statement: “This interaction was determined to be unsafe due to the SU-27 conducting a high speed pass directly in front of the mission aircraft, putting at risk the pilots and crew.
“The intercepting SU-27 made an additional pass, closing with the EP-3 and applying its afterburner while conducting a banking turn away.
“The crew of the EP-3 reported turbulence following the first interaction, and vibrations from the second. The duration of the intercept was approximately 25 minutes.”
It added: “While the Russian military is within its right to exercise within international airspace, this interaction was irresponsible. We expect them to behave within international standards.
“Unsafe actions increase the risk of miscalculation and potential for mid-air collisions.”
In 2016, a Russian SU-27 did the same thing to a US aircraft over the Black Sea. It flew within 10ft in the “dangerous and unprofessional” manouvre.
