US drones gather data for Kiev’s future strikes on Russia — ambassador to US

An MQ9 Predator drone
©AP Photo/Michael Sohn

US drones are collecting reconnaissance data to be used by the Kiev forces for their future strikes on the Russian territory and troops, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov has said.

"The unacceptable actions of the United States military in the close proximity to our borders are cause for concern. We are well aware of the missions such reconnaissance and strike drones are used for," the ambassador was quoted as saying in a communique, issued in connection with Tuesday’s US MQ-9 Reaper drone’s crash in the Black Sea.

The Russian diplomat quoted US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby as saying that US UAVs make these kinds of overflights on a daily basis.

"What do they do thousands of miles away from the United States? The answer is obvious - they gather intelligence which is later used by the Kiev regime to attack our armed forces and territory," Antonov said.

"Let us ask a rhetorical question: if, for example, a Russian strike drone appeared near New York or San Francisco, how would the US Air Force and Navy react? I am quite confident that the US military would act in an uncompromising way and would not allow its airspace or territorial waters to be breached," he continued.

"We proceed from the fact that the United States will refrain from further speculations in the media landscape and stop making sorties near the Russian borders." he added.

"We perceive any actions involving the use of American weapons and military equipment as openly hostile," Antonov added.

He reminded the public that Washington has already supplied Kiev with $33 billion worth of arms.

"Just think about this number! It is absolutely clear that it is the United States that is leading the situation to a deliberate escalation fraught with a direct armed conflict," the Russian diplomat said.

"We believe it is important that the lines of communication should remain open. Russia does not seek confrontation and stands for pragmatic cooperation in the interests of the peoples of our countries," he said.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian airspace control systems have detected an American MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle on Tuesday, flying over the Black Sea near the Crimean Peninsula towards the state border of the Russian Federation.

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.

The ministry added that as a result of quick maneuvering, the drone went into an unguided flight with a loss of altitude and collided with the water surface. The ministry stressed that 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.

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 ambassador in US says he rejected all US insinuations over drone incident

Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said he had rejected all insinuations of the US side regarding Tuesday’s incident involving the MQ-9 Reaper drone of the United States above the Black Sea.

"On March 14, I was invited to the State Department where I categorically rejected all the insinuations of the US side," the Russian embassy quoted Antonov as saying in a communique, issued on Wednesday in connection with the incident.

According to the diplomat, he "explained the position of the Russian Federation" during the meeting.

"I stressed that the American UAV that was moving deliberately and provocatively towards the Russian territory with its transponders turned off violated the boundaries of the temporary airspace regime established for the special military operation, which was communicated to the all concerned users of international airspace in accordance with international norms," Antonov continued.

He emphasized that "the Russian fighters scrambled to identify the intruder did not use on-board weapons and did not come into contact with the UAV."

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian airspace control systems have detected an American MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle on Tuesday, flying over the Black Sea near the Crimean Peninsula towards the state border of the Russian Federation.

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.

The ministry added that as a result of quick maneuvering, the drone went into an unguided flight with a loss of altitude and collided with the water surface.

The ministry stressed that 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.

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.

US drone violates boundaries of airspace regime established for special operation

MQ-9 drone
©Isaac Brekken/Getty Images

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.

Dua orang tewas akibat longsor TPT rel kereta api di Empang Bogor

Kondisi Rabu (15/3/2023) pagi, pencarian lanjutan korban longsor TPT tebing rel kereta api yang menimpa lima rumah di RT07/RW04 Kampung Sirna Sari Kelurahan Empang, Kecamatan Bogor Selatan, Kota Bogor, Jawa Barat pada Selasa (14/3/2023) pukul 23.00 WIB. (ANTARA/Linna Susanti)

Longsor tebing penahan tanah (TPT) menimpa lima rumah di RT07/RW04 Kampung Sirna Sari Kelurahan Empang, Kecamatan Bogor Selatan, Kota Bogor, Jawa Barat, pada Selasa, 14/03/2023,pukul 23.00 WIB menyebabkan dua warga meninggal dunia serta ada yang belum ditemukan.

Menurut Kepala Pelaksana Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) Kota Bogor Theofilo Patrocinio Freitas di lokasi, mengatakan longsor tebingan rel kereta di Kelurahan Empang ini terjadi usai hujan deras.

"Setelah hujan deras, longsor menimpa lima rumah. Kami segera melanjutkan pencarian pukul 8.00 WIB," ujarnya, Rabu.

Thepfilo menyebutkan ada 17 korban, dan dalam pencarian pada malam hari telah menemukan dua korban meninggal dunia dari enam orang yang tertimbun. Sementara 11 orang lain selamat.

Pantauan ANTARA di lokasi, tebing penahan tanah (TPT) pembatas rel kereta api di lokasi sekitar 20 meter berserta tanah yang menimbun lima rumah tersebut sedang dalam penanganan tim gabungan BPBD, TNI dan Polri.

Lokasi berada di pemukiman padat penduduk sekitar 1 kilometer dari Jalan kawasan Bogor Nirwana Residence (BNR) di dalam gang kecil. Permukiman ada di bawah rel sekitar 20 meter. Lokasi rumah juga hanya berada beberapa meter di pinggir Sungai Cisadane.

Di samping rumah-rumah tertimpa longsor tersebut, nampak telah banyak bangunan yang juga telah dibongkar.

Kondisi pagi ini pun cuaca terlihat cukup cerah dan petugas pencarian sudah siap melakukan penyisiran.

Sejumlah tokoh dan bantuan pun mulai berdatangan. Warga sekitar lokasi juga memadati gang rumah-rumah yang tertimbun. Mereka dalam pengawasan petugas.

Theofilo merinci, data Korban yang selamat yakni Edi Kusmayadi (60), Rifal (9) Arsa (2), Engkos (60), Faldy (20), Fany (9), man (40), Irin (35), Al Mira (8), Misbah (35) dan Dita (34).

Sementara, data korban yang meninggal dan telah dievakuasi malam tadi, Mustopa (30), Al Fandy (2).

Kemudian, korban yang dalam evakuasi , Yuli (65), bayi M. Yusuf (8 bulan) merupakan anak dari Mustopa), Cucum (50 dan Azzam (5).

"Doakan saja, empat korban yang masih tertimbun segera kita temukan," kata Theofilo.

Putin explains Germany’s stance on Nord Stream sabotage by lack of independence

Russia's President Vladimir Putin
©Mikhail Metzel/POOL/TASS

Russian President Vladimir Putin explained Germany’s stance regarding last year’s sabotage attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines by the fact that Germany has never been truly independent after World War II.

"Even European politicians themselves have repeatedly acknowledged publicly that Germany has never been a fully sovereign country after the Second World War. I didn’t say that, but at least one well-known and respected German politician did. I can only agree to that," the Russian president told journalist Pavel Zarubin in an interview aired on Rossiya-1.

The statement came as a response to the question of why Berlin remained silent and inactive regarding the Nord Stream sabotage, despite the project’s importance for German economy and energy security.

Putin emphasized that, at some point, the Soviet Union "withdrew its troops and ended its de-facto occupation of the country." "But, as we all know, the Americans did not. They continue to occupy Germany," he added.

On September 27, 2022, Nord Stream AG reported unprecedented damage that occurred the day before on three strings of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 offshore gas pipelines. On September 26, 2022, Swedish seismologists registered two explosions on the pipeline routes. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office subsequently opened a criminal case based on charges of international terrorism.

West’s ban on everything Russian motivated by hatred of Russia — diplomat

The current ‘Russophobic outrage’ in the West is motivated by hatred of Russia and its culture rather than by condemnation of its special military operation in Ukraine, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya told the UN Security Council.

"In Ukraine today, one may become oppressed for speaking a Russian word or singing a Russian song, reading Russian news, typing a message in Russian on smartphone.

This is a real language inquisition, which causes suffering and even deaths of innocent people," Nebenzya said at Tuesday’s session of the Security Council, which convened at Russia’s initiative. "All this happens today, in plain sight of our Western colleagues, who went just as far and started to prohibit everything Russian too."

"We see all these steps, which are motivated by your hatred to our country, language, religion, and culture that you take pains to conceal. There is no way how condemnation of our special military operation can explain the Russophobic outrage that has engulfed your countries," the Russian diplomat added.

Russian jets force down U.S. drone over Black Sea, military says

In this handout photograph from the U.S. military, an MQ-9 Reaper sits on the flight line at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 17, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Haley Stevens)

The incident prompted Air Force drone pilots to bring down the MQ-9 Reaper in international waters in what U.S. officials said has become a “pattern of dangerous actions by Russian pilots” while interacting with American and allied aircraft in international airspace. The actions, U.S. military officials said in a statement, “could lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation” between the two countries.

“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 Maj. Gen. James B. Hecker, a senior military official overseeing Air Force operations in the region. “In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”

"This incident demonstrates a lack of competence in addition to being unsafe and unprofessional," it added.

The incident comes amid soaring Russian-U.S. tensions over Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking Tuesday during a meeting with workers at a helicopter factory in southern Siberia, again called the conflict in Ukraine an existential one for Russia, unlike the West, which, he said, was seeking to advance its geopolitical influence.

“For us, it’s not a geopolitical task,” Putin said, “it’s the task of survival of Russian statehood and the creation of conditions for the future development of our country.”

Current world problems began after Soviet Union’s collapse — Putin

©Vladimir Gerdo/TASS

Modern international problems began after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian President Vladimir Putin said while answering a question of one of the employees of the Ulan-Ude aircraft-building plant during a visit to the enterprise on Tuesday.

"Of course, all the problems began after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Why? Because the then world order - in a sense it still exists today - was built after World War II by the countries that won that war. First of all, the United States and the Soviet Union," Putin said.

He recalled that the states then "distributed the zones of their influence among themselves and did not interfere with each other."

"Of course, there were enough problems, including the Caribbean crisis, but nevertheless [the USSR and the US] coexisted," he said.

Putin stressed that the system of the bipolar world "began to crumble down" after the collapse of the USSR, when geopolitical interests turned out to be more important for the West than confrontation with the Soviet Union.

"Frankly speaking, it seemed to the people of my generation, including myself, and even a little bit younger ones, that yes, it was regrettable that the Soviet Union collapsed, but nevertheless, the basis for confrontation between the former Soviet Union and modern Russia and the Western world was gone, that that basis disappeared and there were no ideological foundations for confrontation anymore," Putin said.

"It seemed that now everything would be fine forever. It turned out that this was not so. It turned out that the geopolitical interests of our... partners were much more important than, among other things, contradictions with the former Soviet Union," he added.

Russia in Ukraine fights for Russian world — Putin

Russia cannot abandon the Russian-speaking population and it is fighting for the Russian world in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, while answering a question from one of the employees of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.

"For us, this is a struggle for our people who live on these territories," the president stressed. "We are a multi-ethnic country. But still, this is the Russian world. If you chance to have a word with the people who come from there - I’ve met some of them - they are no different from you and me! They are the same as we are. They are part of us, how can they be abandoned?" Putin added.

He stressed that Russia had spent eight years trying to solve the Donbass issue peacefully, but was repeatedly fooled.

"We spent eight years trying to persuade our so-called partners to resolve the Donbass issue peacefully. It has now turned out that they fooled, deceived us. They aren’t shy to say it publicly," Putin stated.

He stressed that Russia, unlike the West, was fighting not for its geopolitical position, but for the existence of its statehood.

"Whereas for our Western partners, so-called, for our opponents today - we can now say this directly - the point at issue is an improvement of the geopolitical position, then for us, bearing in mind the prehistory of the last eight to ten years, everything that is happening now is not just an improvement of some geopolitical position... For us, it is a struggle for the existence of Russian statehood," Putin said.

Putin stressed that the enemy’s sole task was to shake loose the Russian state and "to tear it apart."

"For us this is not a geopolitical task, but the task of the ensuring the survival of Russian statehood and of creating conditions for the future development of our country and our children," he concluded.

3 Sudah Ditangkap Pelaku Utama yang Bacok Arya Saputra Hingga Tewas Masih diburu

Polresta Bogor Kota sudah menangkap tiga orang pelaku pembacokan hingga tewasnya pelajar SMK di Simpang Pomad, pihak kepolisian juga mengimbau kepada warga, keluarga dan teman-teman korban agar tak melakukan aksi balas dendam

Kapolresta Bogor Kombes Bismo Teguh Prakoso menyampaikan, bahwa pelaku utama pembacokan terhadap Arya Saputra (16), pelajar SMK Bina Warga, hingga kini masih buron.

"Kita mohon waktu segera kita ungkap (pelaku utamanya). Tiga orang sudah ditangkap," kata Bismo saat bertakziah ke rumah duka almarhum Arya Saputra di Desa Cijujung, Sukaraja, Kabupaten Bogor, Jawa Barat, Antara, Senin, 13/03/2013.

Jajarannya sudah menangkap tiga orang pelaku pembacokan yang mengakibatkan Arya Saputra meninggal dunia.

Dua orang di antaranya adalah pelajar yang berboncengan dengan pelaku utama saat melakukan aksinya. Sedangkan satu tersangka lainnya berperan menyembunyikan pelaku kejahatan.

"Pelaku dua orang sudah ditangkap, satu lagi itu yang menyembunyikan, itu juga kita tangkap," jelasnya.

Bismo mengatakan pihaknya juga berupaya meredam agar kasus pembacokan tersebut tidak menimbulkan aksi balas dendam. Polresta Bogor Kota sudah memberikan imbauan langsung kepada para siswa SMK Bina Warga untuk turut menjaga situasi kondusif wilayah.

"Terus kita sampaikan jangan sampai ada aksi balasan dan juga biarkan proses penegakan hukum berjalan secara profesional dan kita tegakkan hukum. Jadi, tidak ada reaksi balas dendam atau reaksi balasan," kata Bismo.

Sebelumnya, Arya Saputra tewas dibacok oleh orang tidak dikenal pada Jumat, 10 Maret sekitar pukul 09.30 WIB, saat hendak menyeberang dari ujung gang di pinggir Jalan Raya Jakarta-Bogor, tepatnya tidak jauh dari simpang Pomad, Kecamatan Bogor Utara, Kota Bogor.

Setelah tigaa pelaku ditangkap, hingga kini pihak kepolisian masih merahasiakan identitasnya.

"Belum bisa kita beberkan. Nanti, kita informasikan," kata Kapolresta Bogor Kota Kombes Pol Bismo Teguh Prakoso di rumah duka korban, hari Senin, 13/03/2023.

Kini, satu pelaku lainnya masih menjadi buronan polisi.

Bahkan, pihak kepolisian juga akan mengungkap peran dari masing-masing pelaku saat melakukan aksi kejamnya itu.

Tetapi, semuanya itu akan diungkapkan setelah seluruh pelaku berhasil ditangkap.

"Nanti kita sampaikan perannya masing-masing. Kita mohon waktu segera kita ungkap," tandasnya.

Salah seorang saksi, Andre, menjelaskan bahwa sebelum kejadian, Arya bersama lima orang temannya hendak menyeberang jalan. Kemudian dari arah Cibinong datang tiga pelajar mengendarai sepeda motor dan menyerang menggunakan pedang.

Setelah mendapat sabetan pedang pada bagian pipi tepatnya di bawah telinga, Arya langsung terkapar. Rekan korban sempat melarikan diri sebelum kembali untuk menolong korban dibantu warga sekitar yang memberhentikan ambulans, lalu membawa Arya ke Rumah Sakit FMC.

Kiev Loses Up to 190 Military in Donetsk Direction in 24 Hours, Russian MoD Says

Moscow started a special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 after the people's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk asked for help in protecting their citizens against increased attacks from Ukraine.

Russia has been targeting infrastructure on which the Ukrainian military relies since 10 October, in retaliation for Kiev's terrorist attacks, including an assault on the Crimean Bridge, carried out by Ukrainian intelligence services.

Over the past months, air raid alerts have sounded throughout Ukraine every day, with many parts of the country experiencing power cuts.

The fighters of the Wagner group are approaching the main supply route for the Ukrainian security forces Chasov Yar - Artemivsk, continuing to encircle the enemy grouping.

The RIA Novosti correspondent visited this sector, where the Wagner fighters spoke about the advance and the assault on Berkhovka on the western sector of the front.

On 9 March, Russia's armed forces have delivered a massive missile attack on the military infrastructure of Ukraine in response to the terrorist attack organized by Kiev in the Bryansk region.

After Russia started its special military operation in Ukraine, Western countries plied Kiev with military aid.

Ukraine has lost more than 190 soldiers in the Donetsk direction over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"In the Donetsk direction... over 190 Ukrainian servicemen, three tanks, two armored fighting vehicles, fourteen cars, as well as the Msta-B howitzer were destroyed in the past 24 hours," the ministry said.

Kiev also lost about 110 military in the Krasny Liman direction.

Russian MoD’s latest statements on the Ukraine crisis:

▪️Russia’s units and artillery inflicted fire damage on the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kharkov region and in the LPR, resulting in the elimination of over 60 Ukrainian servicemen and two motor vehicles;

▪️Russia’s artillery engaged the troops and military hardware of the enemy in the LPR and DPR. Over the past 24 hours, up to 110 Ukrainian fighters, two pick-up trucks, and a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit were destroyed;

▪️Aviation and artillery of the Russian Armed Forces have eliminated up to 190 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, two armored fighting vehicles, fourteen motor vehicles, and Msta-B howitzers over the past 24 hours in the DPR;

▪️Russia’s Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery carried out a complex shelling of Ukrainian units in the DPR and Zaporozhye region;

▪️The Russian military has neutralized up to 20 Ukrainian servicemen, five motor vehicles, two Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers, and a Msta-B howitzer over the past 24 hours in Kherson region;

▪️Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of Russia have hit 76 Ukrainian artillery units at their firing positions, as well as Ukrainian troops and hardware in 148 areas during the day.

▪️Air defense forces shot down 12 HIMARS MLRS shells and one HARM anti-radiation missile over the past 24 hours;

▪️Some 400 airplanes and 220 helicopters, 3,401 unmanned aerial vehicles, 412 air defense missile systems, 8,280 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, 1,055 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 4,333 field artillery cannons and mortars, and 8,904 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.