A MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle prepares to land after a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)
An MQ-9 Reaper drone of the United States-led coalition dangerously approached a fighter jet of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in Syrian airspace, Captain 1st Rank Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria said on July 12.
“A coalition’s MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance combat unmanned aerial vehicle dangerously approached a Su-35 plane of the Russian Aerospace Forces making a planned flight over Syria. The incident took place near the settlement of al-Sukhne in the Homs governorate,” the military official said in a briefing.
“The Russian pilot demonstrated high professionalism, taking timely measures to prevent a collision,” he added.
The U.S.-led coalition expanded its aerial operations over Syria last year, which led to unprecedented tensions with the Russian side.
Similar aerial encounters were reported by the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria first on June 24 and later on June 27 and 28.
In addition, a Typhoon fighter jet of the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force made a dangerous approach towards an An-30 plane of the VKS over the country on July 3.
The coalition’s operations in Syria, which are allegedly directed against ISIS, are not authorized by the country’s government who consider the coalition to be an occupation force. On the other hand, the Russian military operates against ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria under an agreement with the government.
The U.S.-led coalition aerial operations over Syria will not likely lead to a confrontation with the Russian military. However, the lack of coordination could eventually cause a serious incident in the country’s airspace.
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