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 downed a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea while it was conducting an intelligence mission.
U.S. military officials state the Russian jet struck the drone's propeller after several instances of dumping fuel and flying unsafely, leading to the drone's crash.
Russia denies any physical contact, claiming the drone crashed due to its own "sharp maneuvering."
The incident is considered the "first direct contact" known to the public between the West and Russia in the conflict, with the U.S. condemning Russia's "unsafe and unprofessional" conduct.
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.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
