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In a recent incident that has raised concerns about the safety and professionalism of Russian military operations in the Black Sea region, two Russian Su-27 fighters intercepted an unmanned MQ-9 Reaper drone over international waters, causing it to crash after one of the fighter jets clipped its propeller. The US European Command confirmed the incident and condemned the actions of the Russian fighters, stating that they had intercepted the drone in a reckless and unprofessional manner.
According to the US European Command, the Russian Su-27s had flown in front of the MQ-9 several times prior to the collision, dumping fuel on the drone in a move that was deemed environmentally unsound and unprofessional. The incident has been described as "unsafe and unprofessional" by the US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who added that it was particularly noteworthy due to the extent of the recklessness displayed by the Russian fighters.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a drone that is used by the US military for both surveillance and strikes, and it has long been used to monitor Russian naval forces in the Black Sea. The loss of this drone will be seen as a significant blow to US military operations in the region, and it is likely to raise concerns about the capabilities of Russian military equipment and personnel.
The incident has also raised fears of a direct confrontation between Russia and the Western NATO military alliance, which has been arming Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russian aggression. NATO diplomats in Brussels have confirmed the incident but have stated that they do not expect it to immediately escalate into a further confrontation.
Despite these assurances, some Western military sources have expressed concerns about the potential for further incidents between Russian and US military forces in the region. Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, one such source suggested that diplomatic channels between Russia and the United States would be necessary to help limit any potential fall-out from this incident.
The incident also highlights the dangers associated with the use of drones in military operations. Several US Reapers have been lost in recent years, including to hostile fire. For example, in 2019, one of these drones was shot down over Yemen by a surface-to-air missile fired by Houthi rebels, according to the US Central Command. Another US MQ-9 crashed in Libya in 2022, while another went down during a training exercise in Romania earlier in the same year.
Reapers are highly advanced drones that can be armed with Hellfire missiles as well as laser-guided bombs. They are capable of flying for more than 1,100 miles at altitudes of up to 15,000 meters, making them a highly valuable asset for military operations in a variety of contexts.
Despite their advanced capabilities, however, drones remain vulnerable to attack, and incidents such as this highlight the risks associated with their use in military operations. With tensions between Russia and the Western military alliance remaining high, incidents such as this are likely to continue to occur, raising concerns about the safety and stability of the Black Sea region and beyond.