The U.S. military has expressed doubt regarding Russia’s allegations that a U.S. drone posed a threat to one of its advanced fighter jets in Syria. The Russian headquarters in Syria claimed that the MQ-9 Reaper drone approached their Su-34 fighter jet, criticizing the U.S. for not disclosing the drone’s flight path. However, the U.S. military finds this claim to be implausible, as the vast difference in capabilities between the two aircraft makes it highly unlikely for the drone to pose any threat.
Air Force Col. Mike Andrews, spokesperson for U.S. air operations in the Middle East, ridiculed the notion that the MQ-9 drone could endanger a Russian fighter jet, highlighting the significant speed discrepancy between them. He emphasized that there have been no instances of U.S. aircraft approaching Russian aircraft in a dangerous manner. Instead, Andrews pointed out situations where Russian jets have harassed U.S. aircraft and drones, causing damage and escalating tensions between the two nations.
Despite the tensions, both countries have made efforts to coordinate their operations in Syria to minimize risky aerial incidents. The U.S. maintains a communication channel with Russia to prevent misunderstandings and promote transparency in their operations.