A United States defense assessment described an incident in the Black Sea on Tuesday in which a Russian Air Force SU-27 fighter collided with a drone operated by the U.S. military. The event prompted condemnation from Washington over what was called an unsafe and unprofessional intercept that occurred over international waters.
The United States European Command confirmed the occurrence in an early morning briefing. The report states that a Russian aircraft struck the propeller of the MQ-9 drone, causing it to crash and vanish from radar and visual contact. An official from the U.S. military described the MQ-9 as performing routine operations in international airspace when the Russian interceptor intercepted and shot the drone down, leading to a crash in the water. The accounts indicate the incident resulted in the drone’s disappearance after the collision.
Officials emphasized that the scene calls for careful and professional behavior by all parties in the region as they continue to operate in international airspace. Washington highlighted a pattern of dangerous actions by several Russian pilots in recent encounters, noting the heightened sensitivity of the moment amid broader tensions linked to the ongoing Ukraine situation.
U.S. authorities cautioned that miscalculations and inadvertent escalations could occur if aircraft conduct aggressive maneuvers, urging restraint as regional leaders and allied forces monitor airspace routines and protocol adherence in the Black Sea area.
Experts and policymakers have stressed the need for continuous safeguards and clear communication to prevent incidents that could raise tensions further. The incident underscores the precarious nature of operations in international airspace near contested maritime zones and the importance of predictable behavior and adherence to established rules of engagement by all air forces operating in the region.