Air Force shares video of Russian jets harassing US spy drones.
The U.S. Air Force Confronts Russian Jets Harassing Surveillance Drones in Syria
The U.S. Air Force has reported that Russian jets engaged in a series of provocative actions against U.S. surveillance drones in Syria. This incident marks one of the most aggressive moves by Russian air forces against U.S. military assets.
In recently released footage by U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT), Russian Su-35 fighter aircraft can be seen aggressively approaching three MQ-9 Reaper drones. The drones were conducting a mission against the Islamic State (IS) at the time.
According to the statement accompanying the footage, one of the Russian pilots deliberately maneuvered in front of one of the Reapers and fired the afterburner, creating a challenging situation for the drone’s remote operator. This forced the U.S. aircraft to perform evasive maneuvers.
The encounter also involved Russian planes deploying flares equipped with parachutes in the drones’ flight path, as seen in the shared unclassified footage.
Unsafe and Unprofessional Behavior
Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, 9th Air Force Commander, issued a statement condemning the Russian military’s actions. He described the behavior as “unsafe and unprofessional” and emphasized the potential threat it poses to both Russian and U.S. forces operating in Syria.
Grynkewich urged the Russian forces to cease their reckless behavior and adhere to the standards expected of a professional air force. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the ongoing fight against ISIS.
The exact location of the encounter was not specified, but it occurred while the Reapers were operating over Syria. Approximately 900 U.S. troops are stationed in Syria to support the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in their fight against IS insurgents.
Russia, however, blamed the incident on the U.S., claiming that the drones flew over an area in northern Syria designated for joint Russian and Syrian military exercises. They stated that the flights were not coordinated with the Russian side.
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors deployed to CENTCOM’s area of responsibility as part of a multifaceted show of U.S. support and capability in the wake of increasingly unsafe and unprofessional behavior by Russian aircraft in the region. #AirPower @USAFCENT https://t.co/WVDwU8xtjd pic.twitter.com/ieOgRCfopc
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 14, 2023
Gen. Eric Kurilla, U.S. Central Command, expressed concern over Russia’s repeated confrontations with U.S. military assets in Syria. He warned that such actions increase the risk of escalation or miscalculation.
Over the past year, Russian aircraft have demonstrated a greater willingness to undertake risky maneuvers in an attempt to harass or intimidate U.S. military assets, according to U.S. officials.
In a previous incident, two Russian Su-27 aircraft intercepted an MQ-9 Reaper over the Black Sea, resulting in damage to the drone and its termination over international waters.
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