After a collision with Russian fighter aircraft, an American drone crashed into the Black Sea, prompting the United States to accuse Russia of recklessness.
Before the collision, Russian aircraft allegedly dumped fuel into the path of the drone, which, according to the United States, was in international airspace.
The US brought down the damaged MQ-9 Reaper drone after it became “unflyable,” according to the Pentagon.
Russia has denied any contact between its two Su-27 fighter aircraft.
The crucial issue is whether the encounter was merely an attempt by Russia to obstruct the U.S. drone and its mission, or a deliberate attempt to bring it down.
According to US military officials, the incident occurred on Tuesday at approximately 07:03 CET (06:03 GMT) and lasted between 30 and 40 minutes.
Several times before the collision, the fighter aircraft “recklessly, environmentally irresponsibly, and unprofessionally” dumped fuel on the drone, according to a statement.
The drone was “unflyable and uncontrollable, so we shot it down,” Pentagon spokesman Brig Gen Pat Ryder told reporters, adding that the collision likely also damaged the Russian aircraft.
According to him, the aircraft was able to land after the incident.
Reaper drones are surveillance aircraft with a wingspan of 20 meters (66 feet).
Russia’s defense ministry responded that the drone crashed after a “sharp maneuver” and that the MQ-9 Reaper drone was operating with its transponders disabled. Transponders are communication devices that enable the tracking of an aircraft.
The incident illustrates the growing likelihood of confrontation between Russia and the United States over the Ukraine conflict.
The United States summoned the Russian ambassador to Washington to protest the move.
Following the meeting, Mr. Antonov was quoted by Russian state media as saying that Moscow viewed the drone incident as “a provocation” and that “the unacceptable activity of the US military near our borders is cause for concern.”
Since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, tensions have increased across the Black Sea.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States and the United Kingdom have increased reconnaissance and surveillance flights, albeit always within international airspace.
According to the United States, Russian pilots have engaged in a “pattern of dangerous actions” against allied aircraft in the region.
This suggests that the downing of the drone could have been the result of an error by a Russian pilot who “buzzed” the drone too closely.
If, however, this was a deliberate attack on a U.S. aircraft by a Russian warplane, analysts say it would be a significant provocation and escalation.
In this circumstance, the attack would be interpreted as an attempt by the Kremlin to gauge the United States’ response.
Western allies have exerted significant efforts to prevent the Ukraine conflict from escalating into a confrontation with Russia. However, this occurrence over the Black Sea is merely that. The United States must now evaluate its response.
This was a dangerous conduct that, as the US military commanders warned in their statement, “could lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation.”
