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US officials have accused Russian fighter jets of clipping the propeller of a $32 million spy drone, sending it plunging into the Black Sea. This was their first direct clash since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

On March 14, Russia's Su-27 jets intercepted and hit the MQ-9 Reaper drone while it was flying in international airspace, according to a statement released by U.S. European Command. They dumped fuel onboard before engaging in unsafe manoeuvres, the statement reads.

US claims Russian jet caused spy drone crash over Black Sea

The United States claims a Russian jet caused an American spy drone to crash into the Black Sea, marking the first known incident during Russia's military conflict with Ukraine and a sign of increasing tensions between Washington and Moscow.

On Tuesday, the US reported that a Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted and downed an American MQ-9 "Reaper" drone in international airspace over the Black Sea. The drone's propeller had been damaged, resulting in its crash into the water.

On the first such incident since Russia's invasion of Ukraine a year ago, the U.S. declared it an "unsafe and unprofessional" intercept by Russian aircraft. Additionally, they noted a pattern of dangerous behavior by Russian pilots when in contact with US and allied aircraft over international airspace, according to U.S. and NATO statements as well as reports from other countries.

According to the Pentagon, the MQ-9 drone was conducting surveillance over international airspace over the Black Sea when it was intercepted by Russian planes. It had just finished a routine mission when one of their jets clipped its propeller.

After a brief battle, the aircraft was eventually forced to crash into the sea. Although efforts are being made by US authorities to recover it, no sign of life yet has emerged from beneath its wings.

Russia's ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, expressed disdain for the US claims and noted they violated international laws of war since there had been no physical contact between the two aircraft. He asked what action would be taken if a Russian drone flew over one of its own coastlines such as San Francisco or New York City.

The Pentagon declared the incident a "dangerous escalation" and warned of potential further tensions between the United States and Russia. Kirby indicated that Washington was prepared to discuss the incident with Moscow.

President Vladimir Putin sent his Russian army into Ukraine to protect Russia from an aggressive West that wanted to expand into historically Russian territory. It has been a devastating war that has destroyed cities, killed thousands of people and caused millions to flee their homes. Western allies are watching closely as Moscow's actions have undermined the region and broken international law norms.

Russia denies co

On Tuesday morning, a US military spy drone was shot down over the Black Sea by a Russian jet in what marked their first direct encounter since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While flying within international airspace, its Su-27 fighter aircraft came into contact with the drone.

U.S. European Command reported that a drone's propeller was clipped by the jet, resulting in its crash into the sea. Furthermore, several drops of fuel were believed to have been made on it multiple times as it took off from its landing pad.

On Tuesday, Moscow has denied that their fighter jets came into contact with the drone or its transponders. As a result, the US State Department summoned Russia's ambassador to Washington for questioning regarding the incident, according to a spokesperson.

Russia is equipped with both fighter planes and stealth aircraft. The Su-57 Felon, one of the world's most advanced fifth-generation supersonic combat jets, is one of these advanced systems.

Russia began developing the jet in 2002 and plans to have 22 of them by 2024, competing with America's F-35 fighter. With this ambitious development program, they hope to outpace American technology for air superiority.

Critics contend the jets are an unnecessary distraction from Russia's other objectives in Ukraine. Additionally, they worry they could bolster Putin's image at a time when Ukraine is trying to establish itself on the international scene.

Putin, who has long seen Ukraine as part of his sphere of influence, has used the conflict to assert Russian sovereignty over Crimea and along its border with Russia. He says Russia is fighting to defend its "historic borders" and restore peaceful life in Donbas.

One year into the conflict, Putin's connections to private military contractors have become even murkier. Operatives from Wagner Group - a network spanning from Syria to Mozambique - are believed to be serving as mercenaries in his war against rebels. The company is said to have an intimate connection with Russian security services.

Mikhail Prigozhin, the head of Wagner Group, has a close connection to Russia and it appears his involvement in this conflict will continue. Prigozhin has presented himself as an anti-establishment kingmaker and advocated for Ur-Trumpian values. He strongly believes in upholding Russian Orthodox church life in Ukraine while leading a drive within government institutions to combat corruption.

US says Russian jet clipped drone’s propeller

On Tuesday morning, a Russian jet clipped the propeller of an MQ-9 Reaper spy drone and sent it crashing into the Black Sea - one of many serious incidents between US and Russian forces in Ukraine since they invaded that country in February 2022. According to Pentagon reports, two Su-27 fighter jets intercepted the MQ-9 Reaper over international air space over the Black Sea; flew in front several times, dumped fuel on it, and finally struck its propeller - before colliding and sending the drone down into the water's depths below.

This is the first time US and Russian military officials have directly confronted each other in the Black Sea. This incident represents a major setback to U.S.-Russian relations and comes amid concerns from Moscow regarding flights by U.S. intelligence aircraft over Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

US officials reported the drone was on a routine reconnaissance mission over the Black Sea when it came into contact with two Russian jets. Due to its speed and flight path, they moved in close and harassed it for around half an hour.

Once they got close to the drone, Russian jets flew in front of it and dumped fuel on it in an effort to blind or damage it. After about 30 minutes of this harassment, one of their missiles hit the propeller of the drone, sending it spiraling into the Black Sea.

Although this could be an isolated incident, it serves to remind us that U.S. and Russian aircraft have been frequently coming close to each other in the Black Sea even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to US military observers, Russian jets were doing so in a dangerous and reckless way - which is why the Pentagon declared it an unsafe and unprofessional act.

EUCOM noted the incident as part of a pattern of Russian pilots taking dangerous actions while engaging with U.S. and allied aircraft over international airspace, including over the Black Sea. Such aggressive maneuvers pose risks that could lead to miscalculation or unintended escalation, the command noted. Nonetheless, Kirby reiterated that such incidents would not deter U.S. missions in the area, which have been vigorously supported by the White House.

US says Russian jet dumped fuel on drone

The US believes a Russian jet dumped fuel on an American spy drone before colliding with it, sending it crashing into the Black Sea. This was their first direct encounter since Russia's invasion of Ukraine over one year ago and has raised fears that this could spark hostilities between both powers.

On Tuesday morning, an unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drone was intercepted by two Russian Su-27 fighter jets while conducting a routine intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission over international airspace. According to US European Command's statement, these jets dumped fuel on the drone "multiple times" before one of them clipped its propeller and caused it to crash into the Black sea.

Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder described the intercept as an "unsafe and unprofessional" act, noting that this marked the first time Russian aircraft had intercepted a U.S.-made drone over the Black Sea, where it plays an essential role in Russia's operations in Ukraine.

Unnamed Pentagon official reported that it appeared the jets dumped fuel onto the drone, which is known to carry sensitive spy technology. They then flew in front of it several times "with reckless abandon", according to this official.

The MQ-9 Reaper is a long-range, stealthy drone used for surveillance and strike missions. It has been in service across the Middle East, Africa and beyond for years.

On Tuesday morning, President Joe Biden was briefed by national security adviser Jake Sullivan about the incident and urged Russia to respect international airspace. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (Democrat-New York) expressed concern that a drone crash could further escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine, who have been at odds over Ukraine since last summer.

The State Department has called on Russia to submit a formal protest over the drone's downing, and the White House says it will address its concerns directly with Moscow. A senior figure from Russian government - ambassador Anatoly Antonov - was summoned to Washington.