An accomplished flight instructor renowned for aerobatic mastery in jet aircraft, Andrey Krasnoperov recently spoke with Tsargrad.tv about how the Russian Aerospace Forces could respond if a United States MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle, which had previously fallen victim to an incident in the Black Sea, continued its approach toward Crimea. Krasnoperov outlined strategies that would enable the engagement of an enemy UAV from the air without the use of weapon systems.
He described a range of tactical options designed to compel the drone to alter its course gracefully. One method involves manipulating fuel flow to induce controllable instability or drag. Another approach is to maneuver under the drone and intersect its jet exhaust, creating a disruptive wake. The Su-27’s powerful engines provide substantial options for executing such maneuvers safely and within the rules of engagement. Krasnoperov emphasized that there are numerous feasible avenues to influence the UAV’s behavior without resorting to combat ordnance.
Earlier statements from the United States military suggested that Russian Su-27s intercepted a reconnaissance MQ-9 over the Black Sea and touched the drone with a wing, damaging a propeller. Reports indicated that the drone subsequently faced a forced landor crash as a consequence of the action. The Russian Ministry of Defense subsequently denied any use of weapons or physical contact with the drone, asserting that no force was employed against the unmanned aircraft and that the incident did not require escalation to weapons discharge.