The Pentagon desires to keep away from escalation with Russia, however has not stopped flying over the Black Sea, officers advised the outlet
The US is weighing the advantages and dangers of drone flights over the Black Sea after shedding an unmanned plane there whereas being chased by Russian interceptors, CNN reported on Thursday, citing sources.
On Tuesday, Washington claimed that two Russian Su-27 fighters dumped gasoline on a MQ-9 Reaper drone conducting a reconnaissance flight within the space, with one jet later colliding with the US plane.
Moscow’s Ministry of Protection, nevertheless, dismissed the accusation, insisting that its interceptors had neither come into contact with the Reaper nor fired a weapon, saying that the drone crashed because of “sharp maneuvers.”
A number of officers have advised CNN that the US is now “weighing the prices and advantages” of additional drone operations. On the similar time, Washington has not completely halted flights whereas the assessment is underway, the report says, and one other Reaper was despatched to watch Russian forces trying to find the particles.
Pentagon officers say they’re “taking an in depth look” at US drone routes and at methods to cut back the chance of clashing with Moscow’s navy within the space. They’re additionally stated to be analyzing the potential intelligence advantages of such missions in contrast with the hazard of escalation.
One senior official advised CNN the US was involved that curbing drone actions may adversely have an effect on intelligence gathering associated to the Ukraine battle. Nonetheless, the US may nonetheless depend on different belongings equivalent to satellites, the report states.
Regardless of the continuing assessment, Washington is contemplating flying one other drone over the Black Sea within the close to future, US officers stated, with out offering additional element.
The US has considerably ramped up intelligence operations near Russian borders, looking for to supply Ukraine with invaluable knowledge. Moscow has repeatedly insisted that such actions make the US a direct celebration to the battle.
On Friday, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who now serves as deputy chairman of the Safety Council, blasted the US for sending its drone into the restricted flight Moscow has imposed because of the Ukraine battle.
“To place it merely, the Individuals went means out of line, and there’s no want to face on ceremony with them,” he stated, whereas recognizing the worth of contacts between the Russian and US militaries.
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