VIDEO: Russian Fighter Jet Collides with US Drone

Russian ⁣Fighter ‍Jet Damages U.S. Drone in Syria

A dramatic ⁢incident unfolded over‌ the weekend as a Russian fighter jet engaged in a ‌dangerous​ encounter with a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper⁣ drone in Syria. The jet fired flares at the drone, causing significant damage to its propellers.

The intensity of​ the encounter was captured in newly released video footage, showing the Russian jet ⁣coming dangerously close to the ​U.S. drone and launching flares directly at its propellers.

U.S. Air Force Commander Condemns Russian Actions

Lt. Gen. ​Alexus Grynkewich, the top U.S. Air Force commander in the area, expressed his concerns about the incident. In a statement, he emphasized that the drone was on a mission against the Islamic State when it was targeted by the Russian fighter jet.

“One of the⁣ Russian flares struck the U.S. MQ-9, severely damaging its ​propeller,” Grynkewich said. “Fortunately, the MQ-9 crew was able to maintain flight and safely⁤ recover the aircraft to its home base.”

Grynkewich ⁣further highlighted the negative impact of Russia’s actions on ​the U.S. objective of fighting ISIS in the region. He called upon the‍ Russian forces in Syria to immediately cease their⁢ reckless and unprofessional behavior.

A Pattern of Unsafe Behavior

This incident is not the first of its kind. In March,​ a Russian fighter jet damaged another U.S. drone, causing it to crash into the Black Sea. ​The White House condemned that incident as “unsafe and unprofessional.”

These repeated instances of dangerous ⁣encounters between Russian and U.S. military assets raise serious concerns about flight safety and the potential for further​ escalation.

China’s Role in ‍the Equation

Adding to the complexity⁢ of the situation, recent reports suggest that ⁢China is selling military equipment to ⁣Russia. Chinese company Shanghai H Win has declared sales of hundreds of thousands of military items, including helmets and bulletproof vests, to Russian buyers.

Politico has confirmed that the items listed in the ⁣declaration documents match those found in the company’s online catalog, raising questions about the ‍extent of China’s ​involvement in Russia’s military operations.