Russian Fighter Jets Engage with American Drones Over Syria, ‘Unsafe Behavior’ – Video
Russian military aircraft engaged in risky and dangerous encounters with U.S. drones over Syria, deviating from international norms of conduct, according to recent footage released by the U.S. Air Forces Central on Wednesday. The video captures Russian SU-35 fighters intentionally interfering with the flight paths of U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones, prompting the American drones to perform evasive maneuvers.
Lieutenant General Alex Grynkewich, commander of the 9th Air Force in the Middle East, shed light on the incident. At the time, three U.S. drones were conducting a mission targeting the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria. The Russian aircraft began their disruptive behavior after 10:30 a.m. local time.
Grynkewich described the situation as Russian military aircraft engaging in unsafe and unprofessional behavior during interactions with U.S. aircraft in Syria. He emphasized that such actions jeopardize the safety of both U.S. and Russian forces.
We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can continue our focus on defeating ISIS, Grynkewich stated.
However, Grynkewich did not provide further details regarding the specific objectives of the U.S. drone mission.
Highlighting a concerning incident, Grynkewich mentioned that a Russian pilot purposefully positioned their aircraft in front of a U.S. drone and activated the SU-35’s afterburner. This action significantly increases the speed and air pressure around the aircraft.
The resulting turbulence from the jet blast hindered the drone operator’s ability to safely control the aircraft, Grynkewich confirmed.
Army General Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, emphasized that Russia’s transgressions in securing Syrian airspace increase the risk of escalation or miscalculation.
With approximately 900 troops stationed in the region, the United States remains committed to its efforts in Syria. These soldiers work alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to combat ISIS relentlessly.
Currently, no additional details about the drone operation or the specific location of the incidents in Syria have been provided.
In conclusion, the unsafe and provocative encounters between Russian fighter jets and American drones over Syria have raised concerns about the adherence to international norms of conduct. The U.S. Air Forces Central has urged Russian forces to cease such risky behavior and abide by the expected standards of a professional air force. The disruption caused by the Russian aircraft puts the safety of both American and Russian forces at risk. While the specific objectives of the U.S. drone mission were not disclosed, the incident highlights the potential for escalation or miscommunication in securing Syrian airspace. The United States remains committed to its efforts in Syria, working alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces to combat ISIS effectively.
