A Russian Su-27 fighter plane collided with an MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft over the Black Sea and the drone ended up falling into the water, the US military command in Europe (USEUCOM) reported.
The drone of the US Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance service was intercepted by two Russian fighters. One of those aircraft caused the event, said a statement from the United States Air Force.
“Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and struck by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and the total loss of the MQ-9,” General James Hecker said in a statement. , commander of the United States Air Force in Europe.
The Russian Defense Ministry, quoted by the Reuters agency, said that its combat planes did not come into contact with the US drone.
Instead, they maintain that it crashed due to a “sharp manoeuvre”.
“The Russian fighters did not use their weapons, did not come into contact with the drone and returned safely to their home airfield.”
The statement stressed that the aircraft of the United States and its allies “will continue to operate in international airspace. We call on the Russians to behave safely and professionally.”
“The United States should not respond with direct force against Russia,” said Notre Dame Law School professor Mary Ellen O’Connell, an expert on international law and the use of force.
“The United States has been successful, to date, in assisting Ukraine without a direct confrontation with Russia,” O’Connell said. “That approach must continue.”
After the incident, the United States summoned the Russian ambassador, the State Department reported.
