An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft from the 163rd Attack Wing lands for the first time at March Air Reserve Base, California. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]
Key Takeaways:
A Russian Su-27 fighter intercepted and caused a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone to crash into the Black Sea.
U.S. officials allege the Russian jet struck the drone's propeller after unprofessional maneuvers, while Russia denies contact and blames the crash on the drone's sharp maneuvering.
The incident occurred in international airspace during a routine U.S. intelligence mission, marking a significant direct confrontation between Western and Russian forces.
A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter intercepted and downed a U.S. Air Force-operated General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper over the Black Sea Tuesday.
The Reaper was conducting an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission in international airspace over the Black Sea—a common mission Pentagon officials say predates the current war in Ukraine.
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