Russia pilots ‘reckless’ in drone collision – US
Written by Olarotimi Oshin on March 15, 2023
The US has accused Russia of reckless behaviour after an American surveillance drone crashed into the Black Sea following an encounter with Russian fighter jets.
The US says the drone was on a routine mission in international airspace when two Russian jets tried to intercept it.
The incident highlights the increasing risk of direct confrontation between Russia and the US over the Ukraine war.
Russia denied that the two aircraft made any contact.
The Russian defence ministry said the drone crashed after a “sharp manoeuvre and that the MQ-9 Reaper drone was flying with its transponders turned off. Transponders are communications devices that allow the aircraft to be tracked.
Tagged as Russian fighter jets.