Russian Fighter Jet Strikes U.S. Surveillance Drone Over Black Sea, Raising Tensions Between U.S. and Russia

On Tuesday, a Russian fighter jet struck a U.S. surveillance drone over the Black Sea, resulting in the U.S. bringing down the unmanned aerial vehicle. According to U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, the MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft.

The incident, which occurred in international waters, has raised tensions between the two countries. The U.S. European Command said two Russian Su-27 fighter jets tracked the U.S. surveillance drone as it flew in international airspace over the Black Sea. Moscow said the U.S. drone maneuvered sharply and crashed into water following an encounter with Russian fighter jets scrambled to intercept it near Crimea, but insisted its warplanes didn’t fire their weapons or hit the drone.

The incident appears to mark the first time since the height of the Cold War that a U.S. aircraft was brought down after being hit by a Russian warplane. U.S. Air Force Gen. Hecker called the incident a “brazen violation of international law.”

The U.S. and Russia have long been at odds over the war in Ukraine, and the incident has further strained the relationship between the two countries. The U.S. is currently investigating the incident and has yet to comment on the matter.