Russia dispatched a fighter jet to escort a US spy plane flying over the Black Sea, amid growing concerns over the risk a major military clash with Western forces near the Russian border.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday that “a Su-30 fighter from the Southern Military District Air Defense Force has been dispatched” to identify the air target and prevent it from crossing the country’s border.

“The Russian fighter’s crew identified the air target as a US Navy P-8A reconnaissance aircraft and escorted it over the waters of the Black Sea,” he added.

The Russian plane returned safely to the airfield after turning away from the Russian state border, the ministry said.

NATO has increased its military presence in the Black Sea region amid tensions between the US-led military alliance and Russia over Ukraine.

The United States, its NATO allies and Ukraine accuse Moscow of massing troops near the Ukrainian border for a possible invasion. Russia says there is no such plan.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Friday warned of the danger of a major confrontation with the West unless the United States and its allies seriously consider security guarantees for Moscow.

He warned the United States and its NATO allies against expanding their military presence in Eastern Europe.

“We must before it is too late to avoid another missile crisis in Europe,” he said during a press briefing.

“The appearance of short and medium range weapons in these territories is a direct route to an escalation of the confrontation,” Ryabkov added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned the West and Kiev against crossing the Kremlin’s red lines over organizing military exercises and sending weapons to Ukraine.