U.S. military drones conducting an operation against Islamic State targets in Syria were harassed by Russian fighter jets, authorities said Wednesday.
It marks at least the second such incident this year.
Three MQ-9 Reaper drones were engaged by three Russian fighter jets at about 10:40 a.m. local time, according to a statement from Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, commander of the Ninth Air Force, an Air Force Service Component of U.S. Central Command. Grynkewich said the jets broke"established norms and protocols" by dropping"multiple parachute flares in front of the drones," subsequently forcing them to"conduct evasive maneuvers."
One of the Russian pilots also positioned their jet in front of a drone and"engaged afterburner, thereby reducing" the drone"operator's ability to safely operate the aircraft," Grynkewich said. Drone video that U.S. Air Force officials say shows multiple Russian fighter jets harassing U.S. military MQ-9 drones on July 5, 2023, over Syria during an operation targeting the Islamic State. "We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS," Grynkewich said.
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