In the Et-Tanf region of northern Syria, two Su-34 fighter aircraft and two Su-35 jets operated by the Russian Air Force encountered measurable interference with their guidance systems during a scheduled flight. The incident was described by a senior official from the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the warring parties as involving an automatic activation of onboard defensive responses. Importantly, the official clarified that there was no reported loss of airframe control, and that the disruption occurred within a brief window from 02:13 to 02:20 local time on August 11 while the mission was in progress. The official added that the disruption influenced the aircraft in a way that triggered protective measures on board, prompting heightened scrutiny of the air operations in the area.
The same official also noted radar tracking activity directed at the Russian aircraft from two F-35 fighters during the same operational window. This admission underscores the ongoing tension in the airspace over northern Syria and illustrates the complexities of contemporary aerial engagements near the region, where multiple airframes from different nations can operate within close proximity and with overlapping mission objectives.
Earlier in the week, on August 8, the center’s spokesperson issued a warning about a potential risk posed by unmanned aircraft connected to a coalition aligned with the United States. The warning described a situation in which an MQ-9 drone approached the Russian Su-34 aircraft near the Raqqa province in what was characterized as a dangerous maneuver, raising concerns about procedural safety and the risk of misinterpretation during patrols and joint operations.
The spokesperson went on to describe prior encounters in which Russian Su-35 aircraft intercepted or observed unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the U.S.-led coalition near Raqqa and over the Mediterranean. In these exchanges, reports indicated a convergence distance that hovered around a few hundred meters, with some instances below 150 meters. Such close-quarters interactions highlight the high-stakes nature of modern aerial operations and the intense activity by multiple forces in contested airspace, challenging pilots to maintain situational awareness and precise coordination under pressure.
Across these statements, the central emphasis remained on the readiness of Russian air assets and the vigilant maintenance of situational awareness amid evolving threats in northern Syria. The discussions also touched on broader implications for air defense readiness and the established protocols followed when sensor data indicate potential interference or hostile action. The overarching message points to a continuous assessment of how defense systems respond to rapid developments in the airspace, including sensor fusion, threat detection, and the appropriate escalation of protective measures to safeguard crew and equipment during complex missions.
In related remarks, leaders highlighted ongoing evaluations of flight safety procedures and coordination measures designed to minimize risk during joint or allied missions in the region. The persistent objective conveyed is to monitor airspace activity, assess potentially dangerous interactions, and refine protective and defensive responses to preserve mission integrity while protecting personnel and assets amid a highly contested and dynamically evolving environment.