A Russian fighter jet Su-27 collided with a US surveillance drone MQ-9 over the Black Sea on Tuesday. It hit the drone’s propellers, causing its American controllers to bring it down in international waters. This is the first noted interaction between the Russian and American militaries since the beginning of crisis war in Ukraine.
John F. Kirby, a national security council spokesperson, revealed this wasn’t the first event. There have been more similar intercepts with Russian aircraft over the past few weeks. However, according to military officials, this was more dangerous and unprofessional in nature.
Russian jet collides with US surveillance drone over Black Sea
Two #Russian Su-27 aircraft conducted an unsafe & unprofessional intercept with a @usairforce
intelligence, surveillance, & reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 aircraft operating w/in international airspace over the #BlackSea today. https://t.co/nLuJy2Awbe@DeptofDefense @NATO pic.twitter.com/f0njn4gzSj— U.S. European Command (@US_EUCOM) March 14, 2023
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, the US surveillance drone MQ-9 Reaper drowned in the Black Sea. It descended into international waters after a collision with a Russian Su-27 fighter jet, which escalated the tension between the White House in America and the Kremlin in Russia.
According to the US military, the drone was flying a typical surveillance mission when two Russian war jets intercepted it. The incident occurred about 75 miles southwest of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, which Russia often uses as the base for launching devastating air strikes.
The military’s European command disclosed more details about the incident. In the official statement, they revealed that the Russian fighter jet dumped oil and flew in front of the MQ-9. The officials called this behavior environmentally harmful and unprofessional.
Russia denies US’ claims about the collision
#BlackSea #MQ9 #Reaper #drone #Russia #Su27 #Sukhoi: Russia Says “Sharp Maneuvering” Caused Reaper to Crash, Denies Mid-Air Collision https://t.co/jdQMDoY03G pic.twitter.com/29KWBI3c3S
— DefenseMirror (@DefenseMirror) March 15, 2023
Following the drowning of the American surveillance drone MQ-19, Russia’s defense ministry released an official statement. The government has denied US’ claims of its aircraft coming in contact with the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). According to their reports, the drone had crashed after “sharp maneuvering.”
Ned Price, The US state department spokesperson, arranged a summon with Russian ambassador Anatoly Antonov on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Both the involved parties discussed the collision and later the Russian embassy published its remarks on its official website.
In the remarks, Antonov refutes the US military’s claims about the deliberate collision. He clarified the American drone deliberately and provocatively entered Russian territory. However, they didn’t collide with US drones on purpose.
The significance of the Black Sea in the matter
The Black Sea has always been a significant part of Ukraine’s crisis due to its location touching Russia and Ukraine among other countries. The US officials revealed they were worried that some incident or miscommunication over the Black Sea may lead to more problems.
Last year, Russia fired a missile at an unarmed British surveillance plane that was flying over the Black Sea as well. According to US officials, Russia often intercepts airborne checks of American and other allied aircraft over the Black Sea.
Most of these engagements are seen as signs of threats and intimidation from the Russian military. However, they have flown dangerously close to American and other allied aircraft many times in the past decade. This incident was particularly dangerous, which is the major reason behind the US military’s complaints against the Russian aircraft.
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