Russian jet and US drone collide over Black Sea

Russia’s Su-27 fighter jet and a US drone have collided over the Black Sea. The drone debris fell into international waters, the US European Command reports.

The incident took place on Tuesday at 7:03 AM (CET).

The US military statement says that the drone was conducting a routine mission over international waters when two Russian planes attempted to intercept it. One of them clipped the drone’s propeller which forced the US military to down the aircraft.

“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 US Air Force General James Hecker, commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa. According to him, US and allied aircraft will continue to fly in international airspace in accordance with international laws.

The White House said that US President Joe Biden had been informed about the incident.

The Russian Defence Ministry is yet to comment on the situation.