Video footage released this week by the U.S. European Command shows a Russian Su-27 aircraft “conducting an unsafe/unprofessional intercept of a U.S. Air Force MQ-9,” over the Black Sea.
According to the command, the video was captured Tuesday at 7:03 CET as the aircraft maneuvered through international airspace.
At the beginning of the video, the Russian aircraft can be seen approaching the rear of the U.S. Air Force aircraft. A few seconds later, the Russian Su-27 started releasing fuel as it passed by the other aircraft.
This action was described as “environmentally unsound and unprofessional,” by the U.S. European Command.
“This incident demonstrates a lack of competence in addition to being unsafe and unprofessional,” it said.
It continued to release fuel as it flew over the MQ-9. While the Russian aircraft passed over the U.S. craft, the video transmission was disrupted. Around that time, the propeller of the U.S. Air Force MQ-9 can be seen, undamaged.
Then, the Su-27 began a second approach toward the MQ-9. It began to release fuel again and passed even closer.
Shortly after this close-call pass, the Russian aircraft collided with the MQ-9, causing the U.S. aircraft to lose its camera feed for approximately 60 seconds. When the camera began working again, the aircraft propeller can be seen, damaged.
“Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa. “In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”
Hecker said that U.S. and Allied aircraft will continue to operate in international airspace. He also said that Russians should work to conduct themselves professionally and safely.
“This incident follows a pattern of dangerous actions by Russian pilots while interacting with U.S. and Allied aircraft over international airspace, including over the Black Sea,” according to the U.S. European Command. “These aggressive actions by Russian aircrew are dangerous and could lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation.”
Last February, Russia began an invasion of Ukraine that has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties. After that invasion began, the U.S. and other nations have provided aid to Ukraine. Since the start of this year, there have also been reports of aerial objects over the U.S., including an object identified as a Chinese spy balloon that was shot down over the Carolina coast.
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