Key takeaways:
- Russian Su-27 fighter jet collided with an American MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea
- Russian jet intentionally flew in front of and dumped fuel in front of the unmanned drone
- The collision between the Russian and American aircraft is a reminder of the tensions between the two countries and the need for increased communication and cooperation
On Tuesday, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet collided with an American MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea, marking the first time Russian and US military aircraft have come into direct contact since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
According to the US Air Force, the Reaper drone and two SU-27 Flanker jets were operating over international waters when one of the Russian jets intentionally flew in front of and dumped fuel in front of the unmanned drone. The US forces brought down the drone in international waters, and the White House called the Russian plane’s intercept of the unmanned aircraft “reckless”.
U.S. Air Force General James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, said in a statement, “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.”
The Russian fighter jet then damaged the propeller of the Reaper, which is mounted on the rear of the drone. The incident is currently under investigation by the US Air Force.
The collision between the Russian and American aircraft is a reminder of the tensions between the two countries and the need for increased communication and cooperation. The US Air Force is committed to ensuring the safety of its personnel and aircraft, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
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