Russian and US warplanes clash – Fighter jets have 'dangerous' near miss over Syria

A RUSSIAN fighter jet flew "dangerously" close to a US warplane in the latest clash between the superpowers over Syria.

By Henry Holloway                                 

RUSSIA CLASH: Air Force bosses have accused Putin's planes of 'deliberately' shadowing US jets

US officials confirmed the Russian fighter flew "close enough you could feel the jet wash" to the Air Force plane.

Air Force Lieutenant General Jeff Harrigan accused Putin's jets of "deliberately" following coalition planes too closely – with one incident "happening every 10-days-ish".

Relations between the US and Russia have been strained over the Middle Eastern country as they each back different sides of the bloody civil war. 

Tensions have stretched to breaking point as the Washington accused Moscow of "war crimes" after bombing civilians in Aleppo.

PUTIN'S PLANES: Vlad's lads are ramping up their power in Syria

Lieutenant General Harrigan: "I would attribute it to not having the necessary situational awareness given all those platforms operating together."

The US pilot tried unsuccessfully to reach the Russian jet via an emergency radio channel after the clash.

The next day, US officers contacted Russian military to find out what had happened.

Russian officials said "the pilot didn't see" the US plane.

Air Force bosses said the planes passed with "half a mile" of each other in the dark.

Putin's air force is flying constant air patrols over the war torn country, the vast majority of them over the devastated city of Aleppo.

The near miss occurred late on 17 October, when the Russian jet was escorting a large spy plane, the US general confirmed today.

WARPLANES: Russia and US jets regularly operate over Syria

Kremlin and White House forces have repeatedly clash in the region this year as both mobilise their militaries in Syria.

Putin was accused of carrying out a "simulated attack run" on a US warship earlier this year when fighter jets swept low over the navy vessel.

Russian Navy frigate Yaroslav Mudry also landed in trouble as it was involved in two near miss incidents within days of one another.

Putin's military operations in the Middle East are ramping up as he dispatched his mighty naval battle group to the region. 

Last week, the Russian fleet stalked past the White Cliffs of Dover and has embroiled in a row with NATO as member states refuse to refuel the warships.

Politicians have warned tensions between the US and Russia over Syria could boil over into a "global war".