An MQ-9 Reaper drone from the international coalition led by the United States in Syria reportedly approached Russian military installations in Aleppo province during a recent briefing. The briefing was delivered by Rear Admiral Oleg Gurinov, deputy head of the Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in the Russian Arab Republic. The report comes from TASS and highlights concerns over ongoing air activity near Russian facilities.
Gurinov emphasized that the coalition continues to violate conflict-prevention protocols even as Moscow adheres to the terms of the 2015 memorandum of understanding between the Russian Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense. He described these violations as deliberate and systematic, underscoring a pattern rather than isolated incidents.
During the day, ten separate violations related to the flights of coalition drones were recorded, according to the briefing. The data indicate repeated incursions that local observers say lack coordination with the Russian side, raising questions about safety and accountability in shared airspace.
One specific incident involved an MQ-9 Reaper approaching a Russian troop group facility near the Qwaires airport in Aleppo province, as noted by Gurinov. The description points to a persistent risk environment created by uncoordinated unmanned aviation operations in the region.
Gurinov added that coalition drone flights do not receive formal coordination with Russian authorities, and as a result, the coalition cannot be held responsible for the safety of these activities. The briefing referenced previous Russian operations conducted against targets associated with the US-led coalition in Syria, framing the incidents within a longer history of air operations in the area.
Observers in the region continue to monitor airspace management and adherence to agreed protocols, noting that the current pattern of drone activity complicates efforts to maintain stability. The briefing from the Russian side calls for renewed attention to coordination mechanisms and to the enforcement of existing agreements designed to reduce the risk of miscalculation or escalation in complex combat zones. Attribution: TsPVS press materials and official Russian briefings.