United States-Russia came face to face: Statements followed
After the US intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle MQ-9 crashed over the Black Sea, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoli Antonov was summoned to the State Department of The USA.
Ambassador Antonov made statements on the subject. “The unacceptable actions of the US military near our borders are cause for concern,” Antonov said. We believe it is important to keep the lines of communication open. “Russia does not seek conflict and favors pragmatic cooperation in the interests of the peoples of our countries,” he said.
Responding to journalists’ questions at the US State Department’s daily press briefing, State Department spokesman Ned Price announced that after the incident, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoli Antonov , was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Russian ambassador made assessments of developments in the region.
“We are communicating directly with the Russians, again at high levels, to convey our strong objections to this unsafe and unprofessional intervention that led to the downing of the US drone,” Price said. As for the details, we called the Russian ambassador to the unit where we will convey this message, ”he said.
Russian planes did not make contact with the drone
Antonov’s statement on the subject was included in the Telegram account of the US Embassy in Russia.
Antonov affirmed that yesterday he was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and denied the accusations of the United States. Antonov said: “I explained the position of the Russian Federation. I stressed that the American UAV, deliberately and provocatively moving into Russian territory with closed transponders, violates the limits of the temporary airspace regime created for special military operations, which is transmitted to all relevant users of international airspace in accordance with international standards.
Antonov also stated that the Russian planes that detected the UAV did not use weapons and did not come into contact with the UAV, adding: “The unacceptable actions of the US military near our borders are cause for concern. We know very well in which missions reconnaissance and attack UAVs are used. We believe it is important to keep the lines of communication open. “Russia does not seek conflict and favors pragmatic cooperation in the interests of the peoples of our countries,” he said.
ONE OF THE PLANES CRASHED INTO THE MQ-9’S PROPELLER
The US European Forces Command (EUCOM) announced that 2 Russian aircraft harassed the US MQ-9 reconnaissance and observation unmanned aerial vehicle over the Black Sea, and the MQ-9 crashed in international waters when one of the planes crashed.
“Two Russian Su-27 aircraft conducted an unsafe and unprofessional interception yesterday against the US Air Force’s MQ-9 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drone operating in international airspace over the Black Sea” , EUCOM said in a written statement. At approximately 07:03, one of the Russian Su-27s crashed into the MQ-9’s propeller, forcing US forces to shoot down the MQ-9 in international waters. Several times before the collision, the Su-27s recklessly, environmentally harmful and unprofessional dumped fuel on the MQ-9 and flew in front of it. This incident is unsafe and unprofessional, as well as showing incompetence.”
“WE CALL RUSSIANS TO PROFESSIONALISM”
The statement also included remarks by General James B. Hecker, Commander of the US Air Forces for Europe and Africa.
Hecker stated that while the MQ-9 was conducting routine operations in international airspace, it was intercepted by a Russian aircraft, causing the MQ-9 to crash.
“In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional action by the Russians almost caused both planes to crash,” Hecker said. “American and allied aircraft will continue to operate in international airspace and we urge the Russians to act professionally and safely.”
On the other hand, it was noted that this incident is the continuation of a series of dangerous actions carried out by Russian pilots when interacting with US and allied aircraft in international airspace, including the Black Sea, and that these aggressive actions by the aircrew Russian is dangerous and can lead to miscalculations and unwanted tensions.