U.S. Releases Footage Showing Russian Jets Harassing Drone Before Collision

The Department of Defense released video footage Thursday morning of the incident in which two Russian fighter jets harassed a U.S. military drone over international waters — leading to a collision and the complete loss of the drone.

“Two Russian Su-27 aircraft conducted an unsafe and unprofessional intercept with a U.S. Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 aircraft operating within international airspace over the Black Sea on March 14, 2023,” U.S. European Command made the following statement. “Russian Su-27s dumped fuel upon and struck the propeller of the MQ-9, causing U.S. forces to have to bring the MQ-9 down in international waters.”

WATCH:

#BREAKING The footage from the drone accident with Russia over Black Sea was published on US army’s website pic.twitter.com/ney41fNjGb

— Guy Elster (@guyelster) March 16, 2023

On Tuesday, U.S. European Command stated that two jets repeatedly harassed the drone during its flight. “conducting routine operations in international airspace.”

“U.S. and Allied aircraft will continue to operate in international airspace and we call on the Russians to conduct themselves professionally and safely,” U.S. Air Force Commander Gen. James B. Hecker, commander U.S. Air Forces Europe, and Air Forces Africa.

The statement stated that the incident happened following a “pattern of dangerous actions” Russian pilots as they interacted with American and Ally aircraft in international airspace. “lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation.”

“U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa routinely fly aircraft throughout Europe over sovereign territory and throughout international airspace in coordination with applicable host nation and international laws,” The statement was added. “In order to bolster collective European defense and security, these missions support Allied, partner, and U.S. national objectives.”

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and former head of Russia’s Federal Security Service, (FSB) said that the Russian military would try to retrieve the drone worth $32 million from the Black Sea.

“The Americans keep saying that they are not participating in hostilities,” Patrushev made these claims during a press conference. “This is yet another confirmation that they are directly involved in these events, in the war.”

General Mark Milley stated Wednesday that the U.S. did not consider the incident a war crime. “Incidents happen,” Milley . “And clearly we do not seek armed conflict with Russia and I believe at this point we should investigate this incident and move on from there.”

“From U.S. U.S. releases footage showing Russian Jets Harassing Drones Before Collision“

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