WASHINGTON, D.C. — A U.S. drone, the MQ-9 Reaper, was conducting routine operations over the Black Sea when it was harassed and then collided with a Russian jet, according to U.S. European Command.
“Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander, of U.S. Air Forces Europe, and Air Forces Africa. “In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”
Prior to the collision, U.S. officials said, two Russian jets tracked the U.S. surveillance drone, and one of the jets struck the drone’s propeller, forcing it to be brought down. The Russian jets also flew in front of the drone and dumped fuel in what the U.S. military called a “reckless and environmentally unsound manner.”
The incident occurred in international airspace over the Black Sea, which borders multiple countries.
The United States European command said in a statement, “This incident follows a pattern of dangerous actions by Russian pilots while interacting with U.S. and Allied aircraft over international airspace, including over the Black Sea. These aggressive actions by Russian aircrew are dangerous and could lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation.”