America is flying surveillance drones additional south above the Black Sea after a Russian jet collided with a US drone final week, in response to two US officers
The drone flights have remained in worldwide airspace, however for the reason that collision between one of many Russian jets and the MQ-9 Reaper drone final Tuesday, the US has moved its drone flights additional away from airspace surrounding the Crimean peninsula and japanese parts of the Black Sea.
One of many officers mentioned the routes are a part of an effort “to keep away from being too provocative,” because the Biden administration stays cautious to keep away from an incident that would probably escalate right into a direct battle between US and Russian forces.
The official mentioned the drone flights would proceed this manner “in the interim,” however added there’s already “an urge for food” to return to the routes nearer to Russian-held territory. The officers additionally mentioned Russia might attempt to unilaterally declare a broader closure of airspace round southern and japanese Ukraine in an try and power US drone flights additional out.
On Tuesday, FlightRadar24, a industrial flight monitoring web site, confirmed a US RQ-Four International Hawk — which is a remotely-piloted plane used for surveillance — remaining within the southern and southwestern parts of the Black Sea at an altitude of roughly 52,000 ft.
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder mentioned Tuesday the US was persevering with to function drones of the Black Sea, “flying in worldwide airspace in accordance with worldwide legislation.”
However he declined to say whether or not the US had modified its routes or mission profiles following final week’s encounter between a US spy drone and two Russian fighter jets.
“I’m not going to, for operational safety causes, not going to get into the specifics of routes, missions, timelines, issues like that,” Ryder mentioned at a press briefing.
This text was initially printed by cnn.com. Learn the unique article right here.
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