A tense moment unfolded over the Al-Tanf region in Syria when a Typhoon fighter from the coalition came alarmingly close to an An-30 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The incident was reported by Major General Yuri Popov, the deputy head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Warring Parties in the Arab Republic. Popov provided a detailed timeline and context for the near miss, underscoring the high stakes involved when airspace adjacent to active conflict zones is contested.
According to Popov, the encounter occurred between 9:44 and 9:51 Moscow time on July 3. He noted that the An-30 was conducting a scheduled flight within Syrian airspace, executing routine operations that are typical for coordinated air activity in the region. The Russian pilot involved in the incident demonstrated professional airmanship, taking prompt and decisive measures to avoid any collision and maintain safety for all aircraft involved.
The report also mentions a separate event in Es-Sukhneh, a village in the Homs province, on June 27. There, an unsettling approach occurred between unmanned aerial vehicles from the coalition, specifically MQ-9 Reapers, and a Su-35 fighter jet from the Russian Aerospace Forces. The proximity of these platforms highlighted the persistent risk associated with airpower exercises and reconnaissance missions operating in close quarters over contested skies.
Earlier in the month, on June 22, another incident drew attention in the skies over Homs. Three American MQ-9 Reaper drones reportedly approached a Su-35 fighter jet from the Russian Aerospace Forces in a manner described as dangerously close. This episode, like others in the series, illustrated the ongoing friction between coalition operations and Russian air presence in Syrian airspace. The incidents collectively raised questions about flight corridors, coordination mechanisms, and the rules of engagement that govern mixed aerial activity in the region.
Additionally, Russian military police in Syria have previously taken action to block or disrupt coalitions’ movements within the area, emphasizing a commitment to maintaining order and safety in a highly volatile environment. These measures align with broader efforts to deconflict airspace and manage ground-size operations that involve multiple international actors operating with divergent objectives.