US Drone Encounters with Russian Jets Over Syria: A Detailed Overview

The Pentagon has released footage that appears to document an encounter between Russian Su-35 fighter jets and a United States MQ-9 Reaper drone over Syria. The clip, which runs just over a minute, is described by officials as showing a Russian fighter approaching the American unmanned aircraft and deploying parachute flares in the drone’s ascent path. The aim, as stated by the U.S. defense leadership, is to compel the MQ-9 to alter its course and speed in order to avoid the flare bursts without sustaining damage or loss of control. The military notes that the maneuver was observed during a July 5, 2023 incident and was captured from multiple angles to underscore the proximity and trajectory of the Russian aircraft near the drone.