Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit, who serves as deputy head of the Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties (CPVS) in the Russian Arab Republic, reported that a group of fighters associated with the coalition including F-35 jets came within a dangerously close distance to a Sukhoi Su-35 in the At-Tanf area. According to Kulit, Russian pilots responded promptly to prevent a collision, underscoring the tense dynamics that have characterized Syrian airspace in recent months. The incident, described by Kulit as a near-midair encounter, occurred as two advanced fighters approached each other at an altitude around nine thousand meters in the Et-Tanf region. The Russian side asserts that the quick actions taken by their pilots avoided a potential catastrophe and highlighted the broader risk factors that accompany fast-moving aerial operations conducted by foreign air forces in Syrian airspace.
Kulit emphasized that the maneuvers which prevented a collision, while necessary under the circumstances, contributed to a pattern of aggressive turns and proximity that he described as dangerous. He warned that such actions can create precarious situations and escalate tensions in the skies over Syria, complicating already fragile efforts toward de-confliction in the region.
In a separate briefing, Kulit stated that the United States–led international coalition has repeatedly violated established non-conflict protocols in Syria during the preceding day. He cited multiple instances where coalition aviation engaged in activities that he claimed breached de-escalation norms, potentially raising the risk of further incidents. The deputy head of CPVS urged careful consideration of compliance with agreed-upon rules designed to maintain relative calm in crowded airspace used by multiple international actors.
On the following day, August 12, Kulit reiterated the same concerns, noting that the aviation activity of the US-led counter-terrorism coalition had breached de-escalation protocols on fourteen occasions within a single day. He described these repeated violations as a destabilizing factor that complicates humanitarian and counter-terror operations in Syria, especially in regions where multiple air forces operate under limited coordination frameworks. Kulit urged international partners to reinforce adherence to deconfliction arrangements to reduce the risk of miscalculation and inadvertent escalation in Syrian airspace.
The broader context surrounding these statements includes ongoing discussions about the transfer of weapons systems and support hardware in the region. Kulit referenced ongoing debates within NATO-related channels regarding the transfer of F-16 aircraft and related equipment, noting that decisions of this kind influence airpower capabilities and deterrence dynamics in the area. While the focus remains on preventing confrontations, analysts observe that such hardware movements can affect posture and readiness among various military actors, potentially altering risk assessments for aerial encounters near critical zones like Et-Tanf.