The video footage, which shows the encounter of a US military MQ-9 Reaper drone with two Russian fighter jets just before the crash of the unmanned aerial vehicle, does support Washington’s account that the Russian air force is responsible for the crash. . However, the US government also makes it clear that the video does not prove intent.
“It is not clear to us whether the pilot deliberately intended to hit the drone,” John Kirby, communications director for the US National Security Council, said in Washington on Thursday. It is clear that the pilots of the Russian fighter jets involved in the incident flew aggressively and recklessly, draining fuel and eventually hitting the drone. “But we don’t know if it was intentional. And the video doesn’t show us that either.”
Pointing the finger to each other
The incident and ensuing dispute fueled fears of an escalation between Washington and Moscow. Given Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, the situation is particularly tense and there are fears that the two superpowers, the US and Russia, could end up in a direct military confrontation. Immediately after the action, the US State Department hired the Russian ambassador to Washington in protest. Mutual reproaches followed on the open stage. Among other things, Russia accused the United States of collecting secret service information with the drone, which was used by Kiev “to attack our armed forces and our territory” during the Ukraine war.
Defense Secretary: US will continue to fly there
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu spoke on the phone on Wednesday. In the phone call with his US counterpart, Shoigu pointed out that the US had not observed any airspace closures related to the war in Ukraine, the ministry in Moscow said. In addition, the United States had increased its reconnaissance activities towards Russia. This is the reason for the incident. “It was emphasized that flights of US strategic drones on the coast of Crimea are provocative in nature,” the statement said. Austin did not comment on the details of the call, but made it clear that the United States would continue to fly and operate where international law allows.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
