Russian plane hits US drone in Black Sea
A US Army Reaper drone (Illustrative image).
© Wikimedia Commons US Air Force photo by Master Sgt.
Robert W. Valenca
Text by: RFI Follow
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A Russian Su-27 fighter jet struck an American Reaper drone on Tuesday March 14 over the Black Sea, the American army announced.
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"
Our MQ-9 drone was performing routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in the crash and loss of the MQ-9," said General James Hecker, commander of
the American air forces in Europe and Africa.
"
It is a dangerous and non-professional act on the part of the Russians which almost caused the crash of the two planes
", he added, referring to this incident in this area which has been closely monitored by NATO since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
“
U.S. and allied drones will continue to operate in international airspace and we call on the Russians to behave professionally
,” he added.
Russian ambassador summoned
According to a NATO official, US General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Saceur), briefed the Allies.
According to a Western military source speaking on condition of anonymity, diplomatic channels between Washington and Moscow will be activated to avoid any escalation.
The United States announced on Tuesday that it had summoned the Russian ambassador to Washington to the State Department after the incident.
“
We are in direct contact with the Russians, at the level of senior officials, in order to convey to them our strong objection to this insecure and unprofessional interception which caused the fall of our drone,” the doorman told the press
. -spokesman of the American diplomacy Ned Price.
The skies of the Black Sea are the scene of very regular interactions between drones and aircraft from NATO countries and the Russian armed forces.
The Reaper drone, manufactured by the American company General Atomics, is a remotely piloted aircraft of the MALE type (medium altitude long endurance) to carry out surveillance operations at a cruising speed of 335 km/h.
With a wingspan of 20 meters, it has an endurance of more than 24 hours of flight.
►Also listen: International report - Ukrainian soldiers at the drone school
(With
AFP
)
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