Russia Fighter Jets Are ‘Trying To Dogfight’ U.S. Fighter Jets Over Syria: Central Command

Russian Fighter Jets Increasingly Aggressive Towards U.S. Jets in Middle East Skies

Reports suggest that Russian fighter jets are becoming more aggressive in confronting U.S. fighter jets in the skies over the Middle East. This comes as tensions between the two world superpowers continue to rise amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, who leads Air Forces Central Command, has warned that the Russians have become “increasingly bellicose in how they’re approaching us.” He added that they are “maneuvering aggressively against us when our protocols would say we’re supposed to stay…several miles apart and just monitor each other.”

Don’t Take the Bait

Grynkewich has instructed U.S. pilots to not “take the bait.” He emphasized that they should act in a professional manner and try to de-escalate the situation. The general warned that the Russian Air Force was becoming less disciplined and that their provocations increase “the risk of miscalculation or someone just making a mistake.”

Last month, Russian pilots harassed and caused the downing of a $32 million unmanned MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Black Sea. U.S. European Command said in a statement that “Russian Su-27s dumped fuel upon and struck the propeller of the MQ-9, causing U.S. forces to have to bring the MQ-9 down in international waters.”

Call for Professionalism and Safety

U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, has called on the Russians to conduct themselves professionally and safely. He emphasized that U.S. and Allied aircraft will continue to operate in international airspace. The incident followed a “pattern of dangerous actions” by Russian pilots while interacting with U.S. and Allied aircraft over international airspace that could “lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation.”

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#BREAKING US army published the footage from the drone incident with Russia over the Black Sea pic.twitter.com/ney41fNjGb

— Guy Elster (@guyelster) March 16, 2023