Russian fighter jet collides with U.S. drone, causes crash. What we know – National | 24CA News
A Russian fighter jet collided into an American Reaper surveillance drone over the Black Sea in worldwide airspace on Tuesday, based on the U.S. European Command.
In a press launch, the U.S. Air Force stated that at 2 a.m. Eastern (7 a.m. native time) a Russian Su-27 plane struck the propeller of the U.S.’s MQ-9 plane, which conducts intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. It was accompanied by a second Su-27 that wasn’t concerned within the collision however that U.S. officers stated was additionally concerned in “unsafe” conduct.
“Several times before the collision, the Su-27s dumped fuel on and flew in front of the MQ-9 in a reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional manner,” the U.S. launch stated.
“This incident demonstrates a lack of competence in addition to being unsafe and unprofessional.”
U.S. operators had been pressured to carry the drone down in worldwide waters, “resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9,” stated U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa.
“In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”
The U.S. says that the intercept is the newest in a sample of “dangerous actions” by Russian pilots interacting with U.S. and Allied plane over worldwide airspace. The U.S. warns that the behaviour is aggressive and “could lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation.”
“U.S. and Allied aircraft will continue to operate in international airspace and we call on the Russians to conduct themselves professionally and safely,” Hecker added.
The U.S. added that its air forces in Europe routinely fly over sovereign territory and in worldwide airspace.
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