Russian Fighter Jet Collides with US Drone in Black Sea
In a recent incident, a Russian fighter jet collided with a US military drone operating over the Black Sea. The drone ultimately crashed into the water, while the damaged Russian plane was able to land elsewhere. Although such harassment tactics are not uncommon, this incident is likely part of a calculated attempt by Russia to send aggressive signals to the US, according to a think tank analysis of coercive Russian military action. However, US officials have claimed that the collision was unintentional and the result of the Russian pilot’s incompetence.
The incident has worsened the already strained relationship between the two countries, which has been at an all-time low since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over a year ago. The US has labelled the Russian maneuver as unsafe and unprofessional, stating that it demonstrated a lack of competence.
US Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker has claimed that the MQ-9 drone was engaging in routine operations when the incident occurred, and the crash resulted in the complete loss of the drone. Russia has deflected the blame onto the US, with its ambassador to Washington accusing the drone of moving deliberately and provocatively towards Russian territory.
The drone is currently resting at a depth of between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, making any recovery operation by either party very difficult, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley.
Russia has a history of performing dangerous intercepts to intimidate NATO militaries around the Black Sea. A recent RAND Corporation report analyses years of Russian military activity to show that they frequently use limited military actions, far short of direct aggression but creating escalatory risks. These actions are often intended to shape patterns of ongoing US or allied behaviour, to send targeted compellent messages regarding activities that Russia finds problematic.
Although Tuesday’s incident marks the most direct confrontation between Russia and the US since the former attacked Ukraine in February 2022, several officials claimed that the pilot’s incompetence caused the crash. The Su-27 was allegedly out of control and flying like it was “amateur hour,” and did not demonstrate the skillset of a professional pilot.
