Russian aircraft – On Tuesday, a Russian aircraft shot down a US Air Force drone over the Black Sea, according to the US military.
The propeller on the US MQ-9 Reaper drone was damaged before the Russian aircraft brought it down.
What happened?
The US European Command disclosed on Tuesday that the Reaper drone was joined over international seas by two Russian Su-27 planes.
Then, over the Black Sea, one aircraft flew deliberately in front of the unmanned Reaper drone, pouring gasoline on it numerous times.
Once the Russian aircraft collided with the drone’s propeller, the American military was forced to put the Reaper drone down in international seas.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Russian aircraft flew in the area of the drone for 30 to 40 minutes before striking it shortly after 7 a.m. Central European Time.
Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of US Air Forces Europe and Africa, issued the following statement:
“Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9.”
“In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”
Confrontations
The encounter is the first direct physical contact between a US military aircraft and a Russian aircraft since Moscow invaded Ukraine in early 2022.
The crash is expected to exacerbate the tensions between the two nations.
Russia’s activities have been described as “reckless, environmentally unsound, and unprofessional” by the United States.
Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, stated that Moscow does not seek a conflict with the United States.
Once the drone was shot down, he was summoned to the State Department, where he stated:
“We prefer not to create a situation where we can face unintended clashes or unintended incidents between the Russian Federation and the United States.”
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Breaking down the incident
Anatoly Antonov was inside the State Department for more than 30 minutes, according to Assistant Secretary Karen Donfried.
He was apparently relaying American worries about the situation, exchanging statements on the subject despite their disagreements.
“It seems to me that it was a constructive conversation on this issue,” said Antonov.
“I have heard her remarks, I hope that she has understood what I have mentioned.”
Antonov also stated that Russia had notified him about the space, which he described as a zone for special military activities.
“We have warned not to enter, not to penetrate,” he explained, asking what the US would have done if a Russian drone flew close to New York or San Francisco.
Anatoly Antonov reiterated the incident’s rejection by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, they disputed that the Russian aircraft collided with the drone.
According to the statement, the aircraft was scrambled to identify the flying object after it was sighted over the Black Sea.
They further stated that the drone took off in an unguided flight and lost altitude.
“The drone flew with its transponders off,” explained the ministry.
“Violating the boundaries of the temporary airspace regime established for the special military operation, communicated to all users of international airspace, and published in accordance with international standards.”
Briefing
According to National Security Council communications coordinator John Kirby, national security advisor Jake Sullivan briefed President Joseph Biden on Tuesday morning.
According to Patrick Ryder, Defense Department officials have yet to talk with Russian authorities about the event.
According to Ned Price, a spokeswoman for the US Department of State, the US has communicated with friends and partners at high levels, updating them on what transpired.
He stated that the US was unable to comment on what the Russians intended to accomplish with the movements.
In the end, what happened is less significant than what was intended.
Nevertheless, Kirby stated that Russian aircraft intercepting US planes over the Black Sea was not unusual, and that there had been previous encounters in recent weeks.
He did, however, say that the Tuesday episode was exceptional since Russia’s activities were “unsafe, unprofessional, and reckless.”
Ryder stated on Tuesday that the US Defense Department is seeking to declassify photographs from the event.
He also mentioned that the Russians had failed to recover the downed drone.
John Kirby also stated that the US took precautions to safeguard equities in relation to the drone.
“We obviously don’t want to see anybody getting their hands on it beyond us,” he said.
Kirby went on to say that the US disputes Russia’s statement and that people should take what they say about what’s going on in and around Ukraine with a dose of caution.
Operations
Throughout the Ukrainian conflict, American and Russian aircraft flew over the Black Sea.
Yet, the Tuesday event is a one-of-a-kind contact that might grow at a vital juncture in the conflict.
Even before the war, the US used Reaper drones to monitor the Black Sea.
The Air Force claims that Reaper drones can fly as high as 50,000 feet.
Drones also have sensors and the ability to acquire intelligence and conduct long-term surveillance.
Image source: News Week
