WASHINGTON – A Russian jet collided with a U.S. Air Power drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday, inflicting the drone to crash after an “unsafe and unprofessional intercept,” the U.S. army reported.
The incident occurred Tuesday morning when two Russian SU-27 fighters carried out an intercept of the MQ-9 Reaper drone that demonstrated the pilots’ “lack of competence,” in accordance with an announcement from U.S. European Command. One of many fighters clipped the propeller of the drone, forcing U.S. operators to carry it down in worldwide waters.
Nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan briefed President Joe Biden on the incident, John Kirby, a spokesman for the Nationwide Safety Council, instructed reporters Tuesday. Russian pilots have intercepted U.S. warplanes in latest weeks however not in such a “reckless” method, Kirby mentioned.
“It’s the first time that an intercept resulted within the splashing of one among our drones,” Kirby mentioned.
Kirby and army officers confused that the Reaper drone was working in worldwide airspace when it was knocked down. The Russian fighters dumped gasoline on the drone and flew in entrance of it earlier than the collision.
“Our MQ-9 plane was conducting routine operations in worldwide airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian plane, leading to a crash and full lack of the MQ-9,” Air Power Gen. James Hecker, commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, mentioned in an announcement. “Actually, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians practically brought on each plane to crash.”
“U.S. and Allied plane will proceed to function in worldwide airspace and we name on the Russians to conduct themselves professionally and safely,” Hecker added.
Russian pilots have engaged in “a sample of harmful exercise” that led as much as Tuesday’s crash, in accordance with European Command.
“These aggressive actions by Russian aircrew are harmful and will result in miscalculation and unintended escalation,” the assertion mentioned.
State Division officers plan to talk instantly with their Russian counterparts to precise concern about this unsafe and unprofessional intercept, Kirby mentioned.
The crash of the drone comes amid heightened tensions with Russia over the struggle in Ukraine. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb. 2022, the US has despatched greater than $30 billion in army help to Ukraine.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Russian fighter jet collides with US Air Power drone over Black Sea