US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called on Russian military pilots after the crash of an American drone in the Black Sea “fly safely and professionally”. In addition, Austin assured, that the US military will maintain a presence everywhere, where such actions do not violate international law.
During the regular meeting of countries-donors of military support to Ukraine, the head of the US military department stressed, that the US Army will continue to operate everywhere, where international law allows, also called on Russia to “safe and professional use of their military aviation”.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported, that an American MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle with transponders turned off crossed the borders of the area of the temporary regime for the use of airspace over the Black Sea and moved towards the Russian border. In this regard, Russian fighters were raised into the air, whose tasks included identifying a potential intruder.
Making sharp maneuvers, American drone went into uncontrolled flight with loss of altitude, then fell into the sea. Russian fighter jets did not come into direct contact with the MQ-9 UAV, airborne weapons were not used against him. Russian fighter jets safely returned to home airfield.
American authorities say, that the US Army drone fell after, like its a screw, aft hull, was damaged as a result of a ram by a Russian Su-27 fighter. Author:Maxim Svetlyshev Photos used:Wikipedia/Cpl. Vicky Lefrancois
