US blames Russia for one of its drones crashing in the Black Sea

The United States on Tuesday accused the Russian Air Force of “intercepting and colliding” with drone American Reaper over the Black Sea and causing it to crash, an action that Washington called “reckless” but Moscow denied involvement.

“Our drone The MQ-9 was performing routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by Russian aircraft, resulting in the downfall and total loss of the MQ-9,” MQ-9 Commander General James Hecker said in a statement. , Air Force USA in Europe, confirming the information previously released by AFP about the Reaper incident in the Black Sea.

For the first time since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, a NATO country that backs Kyiv admits that it has lost the device it controlled in the region.

“This is a dangerous and unprofessional act on the part of the Russians,” the general emphasized, adding that “ drones from USA and the Allies will continue to operate in international airspace.” In addition, he urged the Russians to “behave safely and professionally.”

“The aggressive actions of the Russian crews can lead to miscalculations and unintended escalation,” the US military insists in the same statement.

According to the Naval Institute, the collision took place in the airspace over Ukrainian Odessa. USA.

“Recklessness” on the part of the Russians

A P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft was circling off the coast of Romania after taking off from Sigonella Air Base in Italy, according to FlightRadar24.

White House spokesman John Kirby denounced “recklessness” on the part of the Russians, noting that while Russian aircraft had intercepted U.S. drones on other occasions, the incident was “unique” in that it resulted in the loss of the Reaper.

In protest, the US State Department said it had summoned the Russian ambassador to Washington, and the US ambassador to Moscow sent a message to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“We are in direct contact with the Russians, again at higher levels, to convey our strong objection to this unprofessional and unsafe interception that resulted in the downing of an American drone,” Ned Price, a spokesman for American diplomacy, told reporters.

However, the Russian army denied any involvement in the downing of the device, although it admitted that two of its fighter jets intercepted an American drone on Tuesday.

“After a rough maneuver (…) the MQ-9 drone began an uncontrolled flight, with a loss of altitude and collided with the surface of the water,” the Russian Defense Ministry said, stating that the two fighters did not fire or fire. had “contact” with the drone.

Interactions in the Black Sea

The Black Sea has been closely monitored by NATO since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Its skies are often the theater of interaction between drones and aircraft from NATO countries and the Russian military.

In the current crisis, there has been an increase in intelligence activities towards Crimea” and, depending on the situation, this may anger the Russians. And also, given that Western intelligence activities have been carried out […] for Ukraine,” said a French expert who asked not to be named.

Ukraine’s Western allies, who have been supplying weapons to Kyiv since the beginning of the conflict, have not been directly involved on Ukrainian soil, fearing an escalation with Russia.

“Perhaps diplomatic channels will soften what happened,” given the extremely explosive situation with RussiaThis was reported to AFP by a Western military source.

The Reaper UAV manufactured by the American company General Atomics is a remotely piloted aircraft of the MALE type – medium height and long range.

The device is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors that allow it to perform surveillance operations at a cruising speed of 335 km/h.

With a wingspan of 20 meters, it has a range of over 24 hours. In addition, it can carry a variety of weapons such as laser or GPS-guided bombs or Hellfire missiles. The crew on the ground consists of four people.

In addition to USAseveral European armies have drones Reaper including UK, Italy, France and Spain.

(According to AFP)

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