Russian warplanes have again engaged in provocative actions, harassing US military drones flying over eastern Syria for the second day in a row, according to Pentagon officials.
These incidents included parachute flares falling into the drone’s flight path, endangering their safety. The US military strongly condemned the actions, calling them “unsafe and unprofessional” and called on Russia to immediately stop this dangerous behavior.
“These incidents represent another example of the unprofessional and unsafe actions of the Russian Air Force operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both allied and Russian forces,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grenkevich.
“We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of conduct expected of a professional air force so that we can resume our focus on the sustainable defeat of ISIS.”
The incidents occurred when an MQ-9 Reaper drone was conducting a mission against ISIS targets in Syria. Russian fighter jets approached the drone and dropped flares in an apparent attempt to kill it, forcing the drone to maneuver to avoid a potential collision. Video footage captured by the drone’s camera shows Russian Su-35 fighter jets standing in front of the drone before releasing flames.
Russian military operations in Syria have violated increasingly established de-confliction protocols, including flying too close to US military bases and failing to communicate across the de-confliction line. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of all aircraft operating in the region and the potential for unintended escalation.
“We call on the Russian forces to stop this kind of reckless behavior and behave like professional airmen,” said Brig. The Pentagon’s top spokesman, Gen. Pat Ryder.
Tensions between Russia and the United States continue in Syria, with both countries pursuing different goals in the region. The US is part of the international coalition fighting ISIS, while Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The presence of the two forces has necessitated the use of a de-confliction hotline to avoid accidental clashes.
Safety concerns arising from these unsafe and unprofessional interactions between aircraft are legitimate, as highlighted by a recent incident in which a Russian fighter jet collided with a US drone, causing it to crash into the Black Sea. I was devastated.
The growing friction between Russia and the United States in Middle East airspace has raised significant concerns and emphasized the need for restraint and adherence to established protocols. Both sides should prioritize the safety of all military personnel involved and work to de-escalate tensions to maintain stability in the region.
