A Russian aircraft has collided with a US drone in international airspace over the Black Sea, causing the latter to crash.
Two Su-27 planes had attempted to intercept the MQ-9 Reaper drone by dumping fuel in front of it several times in an attempt to damage the aircraft before the collision.
The Russian aircraft struck the propeller of the MQ-9 drone, causing US forces to bring the unmanned aircraft down.
A statement from US European Command described the Russian manoeuvres as “reckless”, “unprofessional” and “environmentally unsound”.
The drone was on a routine flight in accordance with international laws to bolster collective European defence and security, it said.
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This is the latest in a series of dangerous Russian piloting, the statement said, which could lead to “unintended escalation”.
The Russian Defence Ministry claimed the fighter jets did not come into contact with the US drone, nor did the jets use on-board weapons.
Russia’s Ria News Agency reported that the ministry said the drone went into an “uncontrolled flight” and collided with the water as a result of a “sharp manoeuvre”.
It claimed Russian fighters were in the area to identify the object.
US Air Force General James Hecker described the incident as an “unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians”, which has led to the complete loss of an MQ-9.
White House spokesman John Kirby described the incident as “unique” in the fact that it led to the downing of a US aircraft.
The US will continue to fly and operate over the Black Sea, according to Mr Kirby, who said that they do not need to check with the Russians when they do, as it is over international waters.
Speaking to Sky News, Anatoly Antonov, Russian ambassador to the US, said Russia does not want any confrontation with the US.
He said despite the difference in the remarks made by the two countries concerning the drone crash, the issue was resolved constructively.