Russia intercepts US spy drone in Black Sea – DW – 08/05/2023

The Russian Air Force today (05/08/2023) sent a Su-30 fighter to intercept the American reconnaissance drone MQ-9A Reaper, which was over the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

“The crew of the Russian fighter jet has identified the aerial target as a US Air Force MQ-9A Reaper spy drone,” the agency, headed by Sergei Shoigu, said. “After the landing of the Russian fighter aircraft, the foreign reconnaissance drone made a U-turn and moved away from the state border of Russia. The Russian plane returned to its base, avoiding violation of the state border of Russia,” the Defense Ministry added.

According to the military command, “the flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters.”

In March last year, two Russian fighter jets shot down an American drone over the Black Sea, considering it a “provocation” by the United States, “by violating the borders of the temporary airspace restriction zone” established by Russia around Crimea. .

Most recently, in early July, for two days in a row, Russian aircraft “harassed” American spy drones in Syrian airspace with maneuvers that threatened the safety of these aircraft.

mn (efe, afp)