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A MQ-9 American drone was detected by Russian airspace control means near the Crimean Peninsula, it violated the boundaries of the area of the temporary airspace regime established during the special operation, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
"On 14 March 2023 in the morning, the Russian airspace control systems have detected an American MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle flying over the Black Sea near the Crimean Peninsula in the direction of the state border of the Russian Federation," the ministry said.
"The drone flew with its transponders off, violating the boundaries of the temporary airspace regime established for the special military operation, communicated to all users of international airspace, and published in accordance with international standards." he added.
According to the ministry, following abrupt maneuvering the drone "went into an unguided flight with a loss of altitude and collided with the water surface."
"The Russian aircraft did not use on-board weapons, did not come into contact with the unmanned aerial vehicle, and returned safely to their home airfield," it added.
The US European Command claimed that one of the two Russian Su-27 warplanes hit the drone’s propeller to make it crash into the Black Sea. US President Joe Biden has been informed about the incident. Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov has been summoned to the US Department of State.
MQ-9 Reaper is a modular reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. It is equipped with a turboprop engine and can develop a speed of more than 400 kilometer per hour. The maximal flight duration is 24 hours. The drone is capable of carrying air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, and laser-guided bombs.
Russian SU-27 fighter aircraft conducted an intercept with a US reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 aircraft, forcing it down over the Black Sea, the United States European Command reported on Tuesday.
"At approximately 7:03 AM (CET) (9:03 a.m. Moscow time - TASS), one of the [two] Russian Su-27 aircraft struck the propeller of the MQ-9, causing U.S. forces to have to bring the MQ-9 down in international waters," says a statement.
Earlier on Tuesday, AFP reported an incident with a US-made drone Reaper in airspace over the Black Sea. No details were given.
US President Joe Biden was briefed about the incident, US White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told a briefing. There have been other such incidents, but this one was noteworthy since it was "unsafe and unprofessional," Kirby said. While there have been other such intercepts, but this one was "unsafe and unprofessional," Kirby said. "So, it’s unique in that regard," he added.
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