With great disbelief
CNN reported that the United States took measures to keep a drone from falling into the wrong hands after it crashed into the Black Sea, emphasizing protection of property and technology that is American-made.
Officials explained that, while avoiding excessive detail, steps were taken to safeguard the aircraft and its assets. The aim was clear: prevent the drone from being appropriated by any party other than the United States, a point underscored by a White House spokesperson.
A strategic communications coordinator at the White House National Security Council denied claims that Russia was not involved in the drone’s downing. The spokesperson urged the public to approach Russian actions in Ukraine with healthy skepticism until more information could be assessed.
The TV channel noted that these reconnaissance drones were deployed to monitor the Black Sea region before a broader military operation in Ukraine. Capable of reaching elevations up to 50,000 feet, they carry sensors designed for long-duration intelligence gathering and reconnaissance, making them valuable for tracking activity on and near the battlefield and in maritime spaces.
CBS journalists published a video illustrating a possible collision scenario between a US drone and a Russian aircraft over the Black Sea. The piece described the drone as being on a reconnaissance mission, and suggested that a collision left the drone uncontrollable, ultimately causing it to sink in the sea.
Surveillance of Crimea
Following the drone incident, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. After a brief meeting, Antonov stated that Moscow did not seek a clash with Washington.
Antonov noted that Deputy Foreign Minister Karen Donfried conveyed American concerns about the incident, and he said the sides exchanged views with some differences in opinion. He described the conversation as constructive and expressed hope that his message was understood.
The diplomat added that Russia had asked the United States to recognize the area where the incident occurred as a special military operation zone and to refrain from entering. He characterized the drone event as a provocation and emphasized Russia’s readiness to protect its borders.
Antonov criticized what he called unacceptable activity by the US military near Russia’s borders, saying unmanned reconnaissance and strike vehicles are used for intelligence collection and that the Kiev government has used such data in attacks against Russian forces and the region. He asked readers to imagine what American response would be if a similar drone appeared near major U.S. cities like New York or San Francisco.
The Russian representative suggested that drones flying over the Black Sea may have been gathering data on Crimea’s military installations and air defenses. He claimed this information was used to support attacks on the peninsula by Ukrainian forces, and noted that this was not the first instance of American drone activity near Crimea.
Shot or fell on its own
The previous day, U.S. European Command reported that two Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercepted an American MQ-9 Reaper over the Black Sea. One Russian aircraft reportedly struck the drone’s propeller while both aircraft operated over international waters, leading to the drone being sunk by U.S. forces. Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said the Russian planes had flown in close proximity for a sustained period before the collision.
The Air Force described the MQ-9 as performing standard operations in international airspace when intercepted by a Russian aircraft, an encounter that resulted in the drone crashing and being lost. CNN reported that the incident marked the first direct physical contact between Russian and American military aircraft since a broader operation began, with Kirby labeling the Russian actions as unsafe, unprofessional, and reckless.
The Russian Defense Ministry rejected Washington’s version, stating that an American UAV was observed near the Crimean peninsula and heading toward Russia’s state border, flying with transponders off and violating the designated transitional airspace for the special operation. Russian fighters reportedly lifted to identify the intruder, and a sudden maneuver caused the MQ-9 to lose altitude and crash into the water, with no weapons used by the Russians. The ministry stressed that no contact with the drone occurred.
The New York Times cited a senior Pentagon official, noting that the American drone involved in the crash did not carry weapons. While Reapers have the capacity to carry missiles, the drone in question was unarmed and was about 75 miles southwest of Crimea during the incident.