The US Air Force has released video footage it says shows Russian fighter jets flying dangerously close to several US drones over Syria on Wednesday, setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive manoeuvres.
US Air Forces Central said in a statement describing the scenes: “These events represent a new level of unprofessional and unsafe action by Russian air forces operating in Syria.”
The footage comprises a series of clips showing a Russian SU-35 fighter closing in on a Reaper, and later a series of parachute flares drifting into a drone’s flight path.
Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich, commander of 9th Air Force in the Middle East, said in a statement that one of the Russian pilots moved their aircraft in front of a drone and engaged the SU-35’s afterburner, which he said reduced the drone operator’s ability to safely operate the aircraft. The afterburner creates a jet blast that can potentially damage the Reaper’s electronics.
Grynkewich said the Russian aircraft “began harassing the drones” while three of them were operating over Syria after 10.30am local time, on a mission against the Islamic State group which was not detailed.
“Russian military aircraft engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behaviour while interacting with US aircraft in Syria,” he said, adding that the actions threaten the safety of the US and Russian forces. “We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behaviour and adhere to the standards of behaviour expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of Isis.”
Army Gen Erik Kurilla, head of US 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 US 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, and it’s not clear where over Syria the incidents took place.
English (US)