6-7-2023 (WASHINGTON) On Wednesday, Russian fighter jets conducted dangerous maneuvers in close proximity to US drone aircraft over Syria, forcing MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers and set off flares. The US Air Force released a video of the incident, which showed a Russian SU-35 fighter approaching a Reaper and releasing a number of parachute flares in the drone’s flight path.
Lieutenant-General (Lt Gen) Alex Grynkewich, commander of the 9th Air Force in the Middle East, said that three US drones were operating over Syria on a mission against the Islamic State group, when three Russian aircraft “began harassing the drones”. One Russian pilot moved their aircraft in front of a drone and engaged the SU-35’s afterburner, which can potentially damage the Reaper’s electronics.
Grynkewich stated that the actions of the Russian military aircraft were unsafe and unprofessional, and urged Russian forces in Syria to stop this reckless behavior that threatens the safety of both US and Russian forces. Army General Erik Kurilla, head of US Central Command, added that Russia’s violation of ongoing efforts to clear the airspace over Syria “increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation”.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and Russia in Syria, where the US has deployed around 900 forces to work with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces against ISIS militants. The US has not provided further details about the drone operation or where the incidents took place over Syria.
#BREAKING : Russian Jets BULLY US Drones over Syria
US Air Force released a video of Russian fighter jets flying dangerously close to several US drone aircraft over Syria, setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers while they were conducting a… pic.twitter.com/sHQan3cnCK
— EurAsian Times (@THEEURASIATIMES) July 6, 2023
