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Russian jets threaten US drones over Syria for second time in 24 hours

2023-07-07 18:13:40, Kosova & Bota CNA

WASHINGTON – Russian warplanes again flew dangerously close to several US drones on a mission in Syria on Thursday, setting off pyrotechnic signals and forcing the operators of the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive action. The announcement was made by the US Air Force.

This marks the second time in 24 hours that Russian warplanes have put US drones at risk.

"We call on the Russian forces in Syria to stop this irresponsible behavior and adhere to the standards of conduct of a professional air force, so that we can refocus on defeating ISIS," said Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, head of the Command of US Air Force Central in a statement.

Colonel Michael Andrews, spokesman for the Air Force Central Command, said that "the Russian threat, including very close flights of Russian SU-34 and SU-35 aircraft and the release of pyrotechnic signal devices on the MQ-9 drone, lasted almost a hour".

US Air Force Central Command released video of two separate incidents that took place on Wednesday and Thursday. In the first incident, which occurred around 10:40 a.m. local time Wednesday in northwestern Syria, Russian SU-35 fighter jets approached one of the Reaper drones and one of the Russian pilots moved his aircraft in front of the drone and set it on fire of engines greatly increasing speed and air pressure.

Doing so could potentially damage the electronics of the Reaper drones.

In the second incident, which occurred over northwest Syria at around 9:30 a.m. Thursday local time, "the Russian aircraft threw flames in front of the drones and flew dangerously close to them, endangering the safety of all aircraft involved," it said . Lieutenant General Alex Grynkewich.

The drones were not armed with weapons and are usually used for reconnaissance missions.

Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of US Central Command, said in a statement that Russia's violation of ongoing efforts to clear airspace over Syria "raises the risk of escalation or miscalculation."

About 900 US forces have been deployed to Syria to work with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces fighting Islamic State militants. No other details were given about the drone operation./ VOA