Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to Washington, has publicly claimed that American drones gathered intelligence data that Kiev later used to strike Russian forces and territory. The assertion has been attributed to reporting from TASS, and it centers on Moscow’s concern about Western unmanned systems operating near Russia’s borders and in international airspace. Antonov argues that the presence of these drones so close to Russian soil raises serious questions about their intended mission and oversight, stressing that such activity triggers a sense of alarm within Moscow and prompts a demand for clarity from Washington. He frames the issue as a confrontation between espionage objectives and regional security, noting that the reconnaissance and attack capabilities demonstrated by the unmanned platforms are valued for purposes that extend beyond mere observation. (Source: TASS)
According to the Russian diplomat, the practical implications are clear. He questions why drones would be operating thousands of miles from the United States and insists that their actions amount to an intelligence collection effort designed to support operations against Russian forces and Russian-held territories. Antonov emphasizes that the data gathered by these aircraft could be used to coordinate strikes, which, in his view, heightens the risk of miscalculation and escalation in a volatile regional context. The diplomat’s remarks are presented as part of a broader warning about the potential consequences of continuing such activities, urging the United States to review its drone operations and their impact on regional stability. (Source: TASS)
Historically, tensions escalated after an American MQ-9 Reaper drone reportedly encountered a collision with a Russian Su-27 during a patrol over the Black Sea. The description from U.S. armed forces states that the Russian fighter intercepted the drone and made contact with its propeller with its wing, leading to the drone’s eventual loss over the waters. Moscow’s narrative, conveyed through official channels, asserts that there was no use of weapons or physical confrontation by Russian aircraft against US planes, and it refrains from adopting a narrative that would imply hostile intent. The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly denied any aggressive engagement and has called for restraint from all parties while acknowledging the incident as a reminder of the fragile balance in the region. (Source: US Armed Forces and official Russian statements)