File image.
Three MQ-9 Reaper combat drones of the United States-led coalition dangerously approached a Russian fighter jet over the Syrian governorate of Homs, the deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria announced on June 21.
“From 12:33 a.m. to 12:46 a.m. on June 24, three coalition’s MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance combat unmanned aerial vehicles dangerously approached a Russian Su-35 plane making a planned flight over Syria at an altitude of from 7,000 to 8,000 meters,” Major General Yury Popov said.
The military official added that the Russian pilot demonstrated high professionalism and took timely measures to prevent a collision.
The U.S.-led coalition expanded its aerial operations over Syria last year which created unprecedented tensions with the Russian side. Russian fighter jets operating over the country were harassed on several occasions, not only by drones but also by fighter jets.
It’s worth noting that U.S.-led 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 attempts to expand its aerial operations over Syria will not likely lead to a confrontation with the Russian military. Nevertheless, these attempts are generating much tension and could eventually cause a serious incident in the country’s airspace.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
