On Tuesday, a Russian Su-27 fighter plane and a United States military drone collided over the Black Sea, according to statements made by U.S. officials. The collision resulted in the drone becoming inoperable, and as a result, it was deliberately crashed into the sea by Pentagon officials.
There are differing accounts from American and Russian officials regarding the events that transpired on Tuesday over the Black Sea.
During routine surveillance of the Black Sea over international airspace, two Russian Su-27 planes intercepted the MQ-9 Reaper drone, according to the Pentagon. Further, American officials claim that during the 30- to 40-minute flight around the American drone, the Russian jets allegedly dumped fuel on it. Eventually, one of the Su-27 fighters collided with the drone's propeller, bringing the MQ-9 down in international waters.
In its version, the Russian Defense Ministry reports that the MQ-9 Reaper drone entered a restricted area that Russian authorities declared off-limits. Russian fighter jets were dispatched to intercept the drone. According to the Russian ambassador to the US, the drone's transponders had been turned off, a device that identifies aircraft while in flight.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the two Su-27 fighter jets did not employ any of their onboard weaponry against the American drone, nor did they physically contact the aircraft. According to the ministry, the drone crashed due to reasons unrelated to the actions of the Russian fighter jets.
“The unacceptable activity of the U.S. military in the close proximity to our borders is a cause for concern,”
- comments on the raised issue, Anatoly Antonov, Russia's ambassador
His response to the events further undermines the incident's character.
