Washington (CNN) A Russian fighter aircraft approached a US Navy aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea Sunday, both governments confirmed while offering different accounts of the incident.

US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US 6th Fleet said in a statement Sunday the Russian aircraft, a SU-35 jet, "flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner" while intercepting the US Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft. The US Navy it said was the second time in four days that Russian pilots made unsafe maneuvers while intercepting US aircraft.

A Russian SU-35 takes off from the Hmeimim base in northern Syria.

"The unnecessary actions of the Russian SU-35 pilot were inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules, seriously jeopardizing the safety of flight of both aircraft," the US Navy said. "While the Russian aircraft was operating in international airspace, this interaction was irresponsible. We expect them to behave within international standards set to ensure safety and to prevent incidents.."

The Russian military said on Monday their aircraft took off from Syria's Hmeimim airbase to identify a target approaching Russian military facilities in Syria.

"The pilot of the Russian fighter after approach identified the tail number of the aircraft belonging to the US Navy, and took it for escort," a statement said, adding that the American reconnaissance aircraft then changed its flight course away from a Russian military facility.

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