America News Desk!!! A US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drone was flown over the Black Sea in what its European Command (EUCOM) described as an unsafe and unprofessional interception by two Russian jets. The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform was operating within international airspace at the time the aircraft made contact, EUCOM said in a statement. One of the Su-27s hit the MQ-9’s propeller, so operators crashed the drone into the sea. According to RT, prior to the collision the Su-27S refueled several times and flew in front of the MQ-9 in a reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional manner. The US military complained, accusing the Russians of a lack of qualification.
General James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Europe and Africa, said the drone was performing routine operations in international airspace and that the crash resulted in the total loss of the Tud-9. EUCOM said the US regularly conducts drone flights in international airspace to strengthen collective European defense and security and to support ally, partner and US national objectives. Hecker said the flights would continue, asking the Russians to conduct themselves professionally and safely. The Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry have yet to comment on the alleged incident.
The United States has acknowledged providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia, while insisting it is not a party to the hostilities. RT reported that US and NATO spy planes regularly fly over the Black Sea and sometimes over Crimea just before the Ukrainian military launches its offensive on the Russian peninsula. Last week, an American strategic bomber flew a practice run for a missile attack on St. Petersburg while in international and NATO airspace.
–IANS
World News Desk!!!
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