According to the US military, the drone was on a routine mission.
(Photo: Reuters)
Berlin An unmanned US military drone has collided with a Russian fighter jet in international airspace over the Black Sea. US forces then had to bring the drone down, the military said on Tuesday, complaining that “unsafe and unprofessional” action on the part of the Russian side caused the incident.
The U.S. Armed Forces drone was the MQ-9 Reaper. The drone was in international airspace over the Black Sea when it was harassed by two Russian planes, the US Air Force said on Tuesday. The incident reportedly happened on Tuesday morning.
The Russian Su-27 fighter jets initially dumped fuel several times directly in front of the drone, which was then rammed by one of the jets. It then crashed, said US General James Hecker, according to a statement. The drone was on a routine mission.
This incident is one in a series of dangerous actions by Russian pilots with US and Allied aircraft in international airspace, including over the Black Sea, the US military further lamented. These aggressive actions by the Russian aircraft crew are dangerous and could lead to misjudgments and unintended escalations.
The MQ-9 Reaper has a length of 10 meters and a wingspan of 20 meters. It can be equipped with missiles.
US President Biden informed of the incident
With the Russian attack on Ukraine, the NATO countries have intensified surveillance of the airspace in Europe. Reconnaissance planes are permanently in the air over the Black Sea and the western border of Ukraine to record the movements of the Russian military.
National Security Council communications director John Kirby said such intercepts are not in themselves uncommon. However, this case stands out due to the uncertain approach of the Russian side, which led to the complete loss of the drone. US President Joe Biden was informed of the incident.
With agency material.
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