Chiefs

A recent military incident has occurred in the Black Sea region, involving aerial vehicles and resulting in the loss of an unmanned aircraft. The event has drawn international attention and statements from the countries involved.

Main News

A United States Air Force MQ-9 drone was intercepted by two Russian Su-27 aircraft over the Black Sea. The interaction resulted in the downing of the US drone.

US European Command stated that one of the Russian fighters struck the propeller of the MQ-9 Reaper, forcing US operators to bring the drone down in international waters. The command described the encounter as “reckless” and stated it lasted 30 to 40 minutes.

The Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged the incident but provided a different account. They stated that the Su-27 fighters were scrambled to identify the unmanned aerial vehicle and that the drone crashed after a “sharp maneuver.” The Russian ministry denied any physical contact with the US drone.

Following the incident, the US Department of State stated it would be speaking directly with Russian counterparts. The US Ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, has also communicated with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Summary

A US surveillance drone was lost over the Black Sea after an encounter with Russian fighter jets. The US military states the drone was struck by a Russian aircraft, making it inoperable.

Russia disputes this account, claiming the drone crashed on its own due to sudden movement. The incident occurred in airspace over international waters.

The event has prompted direct diplomatic communications between the United States and Russia. Officials from both nations are discussing the matter.

FAQs

**What type of US drone was involved?**
The aircraft was an MQ-9 Reaper, an unmanned aerial vehicle used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It is a large, remotely operated system.

Where did the incident happen?
The interaction occurred over the Black Sea. US European Command specified the crash site was in international waters.

Has this happened before?
There have been previous encounters between US and Russian military aircraft in international airspace. This specific incident, resulting in the loss of a US asset, is a significant escalation.