- The Air Force said on Thursday that Russian fighter jets attacked a US drone over Syria.
- Moscow pilots have harassed at least six NATO aircraft since Wednesday morning.
- It’s the latest example of the authorities’ tendency toward “dangerous and unprofessional behavior.”
The U.S. military said on Thursday that Russian fighter jets conducted aggressive maneuvers around several NATO aircraft flying over Syria, a “danger” by Russian pilots in the area, officials said. It is the latest example of a trend of ‘unprofessional behavior’.
An unspecified number of US military MQ-9 Reaper drones were on a mission against Islamic State at 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday when they were approached by Russian Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets, Lt. Gen. Alexus said. rice field. US Air Force Central Command (AFCENT) Commander Glinkewicz said: statement.
Glinkewicz said Russian pilots used flares in front of the Reaper drones, “coming dangerously close and jeopardizing the safety of all aircraft involved.” Unclassified U.S. Air Force video shows Russian fighter jets firing flares at one of the MQ-9s flying over the drones.
And Thursday’s Russian harassment was not limited to American drones. Two French Dassault Rafale fighter jets were forced to operate by Russian Su-35 fighter jets “to avoid unprofessional interaction” while performing patrol missions near the Iraqi-Syrian border. It says. US Central Command.us air force Said In the wake of the incident, it said it would “fully” support France’s security missions across the region.
It is not immediately clear when exactly the Russian Su-35 engaged the French aircraft on Thursday, but since Wednesday morning local time, Moscow pilots have reported at least six NATO aircraft flying around Syria. are performing aggressive actions at point-blank range.
At about 10:40 a.m. local time on Wednesday, three US Reaper drones were harassed by three Russian fighter jets while the US military was conducting a mission against Islamic State targets.
During this exchange, the Moscow pilot dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the Reaper, and one pilot positioned the aircraft directly in front of the MQ-9, activating the afterburners and reducing the pilot’s ability to control the drone. .
“These incidents are yet another example of unprofessional and dangerous behavior by Russian air forces operating in Syria, threatening the security of both coalition and Russian forces,” Glinkevich said in a statement Thursday. said. “We urge the Russian military in Syria to end this reckless behavior and abide by the standards of conduct expected of a professional air force so that we can refocus on the permanent defeat of ISIS. ”
In recent months, U.S. officials have increasingly warned of dangerous actions by Russian pilots over U.S. interests across the Middle East, especially in Syria, where Washington has sent hundreds of troops to fight ISIS. strengthening.
U.S. Army announced Last month, it announced that it had sent a squadron of F-22 Raptor planes to the Middle East as a means of deterrence and a show of force against Moscow, but officials said the aircraft’s primary mission was to carry out operations against ISIS. .
“U.S. Air Force Central will continue to ensure the security of personnel and assets, and will work closely with partners and allies to address these incidents and prevent escalation of tensions in the region,” Glinkewicz said. . “The security of military personnel and the success of counter-ISIS missions depend on the professional and responsible conduct of all forces operating in the region.”