Russian jet collides with USAF drone over Black Sea 

A Russian jet collided with a U.S. Air Force drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday, creating a risk of confrontation between the two countries, according to the U.S. military. 

The American MQ-9 Reaper drone was flying over international waters in the Black Sea on Tuesday when it encountered two Russian SU-27 planes. One of the Russian jets then intentionally flew in front of the drone and dumped fuel on the unmanned aircraft, according to a statement from the U.S. European command. 

After flying about 30 to 40 minutes close to the drone, the SU-27 hit the drone’s propellers, causing the drone to crash into the water below at around 7 a.m. Central European Time, according to Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder. 

“Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9,” Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, said in the statement. “In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”

The collision is the first time that a Russian and an American military aircraft have come into direct contact since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago. 

Russia’s defense ministry denied that its aircraft came into contact with the American drone, claiming that the unmanned aircraft crashed after “sharp manoeuvering.”

"The Russian fighters did not use their onboard weapons, did not come into contact with the UAV, and returned safely to their home airfield," the defense ministry said.

Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov said that Russia was not seeking “confrontation” between the two countries over the downing of the drone. 

“We prefer not to create a situation where we can face unintended clashes or unintended incidents between the Russian Federation and the United States,” Antonov said.