James Hecker, the general in charge of regional operations of the US Air Force, said in a statement that
Our MQ-9 was conducting a routine operation in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, causing the drone to crash and perish.
The general added: the irresponsible procedure almost caused the loss of both aircraft.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, called the seizure “dangerous, unprofessional and reckless.” To such a step, that is
According to him, there have been examples of interception, but not of an American aircraft being destroyed in such an incident. “It is a unique case in this respect,” he said.
The spokesperson emphasized that the State Department in Washington is in direct contact with the Russian Foreign Ministry “to express its concern about this risky and unprofessional interception.” He added: US President Joe Biden was also informed about the incident.
The US Army European Command said in a statement that in the minutes before the collision, one of the two Su-27 planes dropped fuel on the drone and then cut directly in front of it.
THE military.com coverage shared additional details from the announcement, in which the general said that
aggressive behavior by Russian pilots is dangerous and could lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation.
“This unsafe and unprofessional action by the Russians almost caused the downing of both aircraft,” Hecker said in the statement. “US and allied aircraft continue to operate in international airspace, and we call on the Russians to behave professionally and safely.”
The report also notes that the price of an MQ-9 is over $56 million, according to the Air Force data sheet.
The unmanned American aircraft crashed into the Black Sea at 6:30 p.m. local time.
US General Christopher Cavoli, NATO’s commander in chief in Europe, briefed NATO allies on the Black Sea incident.
Cover image source: Getty Images
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