US President Joe Biden has been informed of the incident with the loss of an American MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drone in the Black Sea after a collision with a Russian Su-27 fighter.
This was announced by the communications coordinator of the National Security Council, John Kirby, writes CNN.
Biden briefed his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, on the loss of the MQ-9 Reaper.
Kirby noted that the interception of American drones by Russian aircraft in the Black Sea is not uncommon. He added that there have been other interceptions in recent weeks.
However, Kirby emphasized that the final episode was unique given how “dangerous, unprofessional and reckless” Russia’s actions were.
The White House said that the United States will continue to fly over the Black Sea. Washington noted that the drone attacked by Russia was in international airspace over the Black Sea. The White House also sees no reason to contact Moscow over American drone flights over the Black Sea.
Recall, according to the commander of the US Air Force in Europe, the MQ-9 carried out surveillance and reconnaissance in international airspace.
US Air Force Europe Commander Air Force General James B. Hecker said on March 14, over the Black Sea, two Russian Su-27 aircraft made a “dangerous and unprofessional” interception of a US Air Force MQ-9 drone that was performing reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance in international airspace.
At approximately 7:03 a.m., one of the Russian Su-27 aircraft hit the propeller of an American drone, causing the US Air Force to shoot down an MQ-9 in international waters.
The MQ-9 was on a routine mission in international airspace when it was intercepted and damaged by a Russian aircraft, causing the crash and total loss of the MQ-9, Hecker said.
He added that the Su-27s were dumping fuel and flying in front of the MQ-9s in an “irresponsible, environmentally hazardous and unprofessional manner.”
Source: Racurs
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