A Russian fighter jet collided with an American drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday, the US Military stated, in an incident that might additional improve the stress between Moscow and Washington. Two Russian Su-27 plane carried out “an unsafe and unprofessional intercept” with a US Air Power intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 plane that was working inside worldwide airspace over the Black Sea.  

At roughly 7:03 AM (CET), one of many Russian Su-27 plane struck the propeller of the MQ-9, inflicting US forces to should carry the MQ-9 down in worldwide waters, the US European Command stated in an announcement. 

The US navy additional stated that a number of instances earlier than the collision, the Su-27s dumped gasoline on and flew in entrance of the MQ-9 in “a reckless, environmentally unsound, and unprofessional method”. “This incident demonstrates an absence of competence along with being unsafe and unprofessional,” the navy added.  

US Air Power Common James Hecker, who oversees the nation’s Air Power within the area, stated that America’s MQ-9 plane was conducting routine operations in worldwide airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian plane, leading to a crash and full lack of the MQ-9. 

“The truth is, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians almost brought on each plane to crash,” he stated, including that the US and Allied plane will proceed to function in worldwide airspace and “we name on the Russians to conduct themselves professionally and safely”. 

This incident follows a sample of harmful actions by Russian pilots whereas interacting with US and Allied plane over worldwide airspace, together with over the Black Sea, the command stated. “These aggressive actions by Russian aircrew are harmful and will result in miscalculation and unintended escalation.” 

The command additional stated that the US Air Forces routinely fly plane all through Europe over sovereign territory and all through worldwide airspace in coordination with the relevant host nation and worldwide legal guidelines. “With a purpose to bolster collective European protection and safety, these missions help Allied, companion, and U.S. nationwide targets,” it added.

Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby stated US President Joe Biden was briefed concerning the incident.