US releases video of Russian fighter jets harassing American drones over Syria

Video shows Russian fighter jets flying dangerously close to several U.S. drone aircraft setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers, the Air Force says
Associated Press|
Russian jets flying dangerously close to U.S. UAVs over Syria
(Video: Reuters)

The U.S. on Thursday, released a video of an incident a day earlier, showing Russian fighter jets flying dangerously close to several U.S. drone aircraft over Syria, setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers, the Air Force said. the footage shows a Russian SU-35 fighter closing in on a Reaper and later a number of the so-called parachute flares moving into the drone’s flight path. The flares are attached to parachutes.
<< Follow Ynetnews on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok >>
More stories:
Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, commander of 9th Air Force in the Middle East, said three of the U.S. drones were operating over northwest Syria after 10:30 a.m. local time, on a mission against the Islamic State group which was not detailed, when three of the Russian aircraft “began harassing the drones.” The drones were not armed with weapons and are commonly used for reconnaissance missions.
2 View gallery
A Russian fighter jet captured on camera by a U.S. drone over Syria
A Russian fighter jet captured on camera by a U.S. drone over Syria
A Russian fighter jet captured on camera by a U.S. drone over Syria
(Photo: AP)
In a statement, Grynkewich said one of the Russian pilots moved their aircraft in front of a drone and engaged the SU-35’s afterburner, which greatly increases its speed and air pressure. The jet blast from the afterburner can potentially damage the Reaper’s electronics, and Grynkewich said it reduced the drone operator’s ability to safely operate the aircraft.
“Russian military aircraft engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior while interacting with U.S. aircraft in Syria,” he said, adding that the actions threaten the safety of the U.S. and Russian forces. “We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS.”
2 View gallery
Flares shot by Russian planes over the Black Sea
Flares shot by Russian planes over the Black Sea
Flares shot by Russian planes over the Black Sea
(Photo: AP)
Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, said in a statement that Russia’s violation of ongoing efforts to clear the airspace over Syria “increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation.”
About 900 U.S. forces are deployed to Syria to work with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces battling the Islamic State militants there. No other details about the drone operation were provided.
Comments
The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
""