Russian Fighter Attacks US MQ-9 Drone with Flares

The US Air Force reported on Tuesday that a Russian fighter jet approached within a few meters of a US Army MQ-9 drone over Syria and fired flares at the drone, causing significant damage. According to the Associated Press, the Pentagon described the interception and unsafe approach as a new round of unprofessional and unsafe behavior by Russian forces, stating that this incident is another sign of Russia's "aggressive strategy" in the region. A senior US Air Force commander stated that this action is an attempt by the Russians to down the MQ-9 drone, occurring just a week after a Russian fighter dangerously flew within meters of a US reconnaissance aircraft, endangering the lives of its four American crew members. Meanwhile, General Alex Grinkovich, commander of the US Central Air Force, explained the latest close encounter in a statement, saying, "One of the flares fired at the US MQ-9 drone hit it and caused serious damage to the drone's propeller. We urge Russian forces in Syria to immediately cease this reckless, unjustified, and unprofessional behavior." In aviation culture, flares are a type of defensive tool used by aircraft against guided missiles, typically launched from the rear of the aircraft to mislead the missile into targeting the flares instead. US leaders are uncertain about the reasons for the increase in such encounters, with some speculating that these behaviors may be linked to "increasing coordination" between Russia, Syria, and Iran, aimed at "pressuring the US" to withdraw from Syria. Recently, US officials have called on Russian forces in Syria to end this reckless behavior and adhere to expected standards of conduct for a professional air force. Earlier, Voice of America reported that in a similar provocative move over the Black Sea, a Russian Su-27 approached the US MQ-9 drone from behind, flew over it, and dumped fuel on the drone. Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, told reporters that he spoke on the phone with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. He added, "The US will continue to fly and operate wherever international law allows, and Russia is obliged to operate its military aircraft in a safe and professional manner."