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US drone violates boundaries of airspace regime established for special operation

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, following abrupt maneuvering the drone "went into an unguided flight with a loss of altitude and collided with the water surface."

MQ-9 drone Isaac Brekken/Getty Images

MQ-9 drone

© Isaac Brekken/Getty Images

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. A MQ-9 American drone was detected by Russian airspace control means near the Crimean Peninsula, it violated the boundaries of the area of the temporary airspace regime established during the special operation, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"On 14 March 2023 in the morning, the Russian airspace control systems have detected an American MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle flying over the Black Sea near the Crimean Peninsula in the direction of the state border of the Russian Federation," the ministry said. "The drone flew with its transponders off, violating the boundaries of the temporary airspace regime established for the special military operation, communicated to all users of international airspace, and published in accordance with international standards."

According to the ministry, following abrupt maneuvering the drone "went into an unguided flight with a loss of altitude and collided with the water surface."

"The Russian aircraft did not use on-board weapons, did not come into contact with the unmanned aerial vehicle, and returned safely to their home airfield," it added.

The US European Command claimed that one of the two Russian Su-27 warplanes hit the drone’s propeller to make it crash into the Black Sea. US President Joe Biden has been informed about the incident. Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov has been summoned to the US Department of State.

MQ-9 Reaper is a modular reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. It is equipped with a turboprop engine and can develop a speed of more than 400 kilometer per hour. The maximal flight duration is 24 hours. The drone is capable of carrying air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, and laser-guided bombs.

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