Pentagon Says US Doesn't Need An Apology From Russia Regarding The Fall Of Drones In The Black Sea, Ensures Sensitive Information Is Protected

Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick S. Ryder. (Wikimedia Commons/DoD/US Army/Sgt. James K. McCann)

JAKARTA - The United States Ministry of Defense (Pentagon) said the country did not expect an apology from Russia regarding the fall of their military drones in the Black Sea which it said were caused by Moscow fighter jets, ensuring they would continue to provide full support to Ukraine.

The US military's MQ-9 drone crashed in international waters of the Black Sea on March 14. The Russian Ministry of Defense said the US reconnaissance drone flew in a turned off runway towards the Russian border, entering airspace designated for the purpose of special military operations in Ukraine.

The US drone lost control "due to sudden maneuvers" and fell into the water. Meanwhile, Russian fighter jets trying to intercept intruders did not use weapons on board and did not make contact with the UAV, the ministry said.

The country's version of Uncle Sam, two Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercepted an MQ-9 reconnaissance drone over the Black Sea and fired jet fuel at it several times. Washington said one of the fighter jets hit a US drone propeller and caused it to fall into the Black Sea.

"We do not apologize (Russia). Once again, our focus is highlighting the facts, as we have stated very clearly in public and personally, that the United States will continue to fly and operate in international airspace, in accordance with international law," Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said., launching the Pentagon's official website, Friday 17 March.

"Once again, our focus is on carrying out our operations to support our national security interests, our allies, and our partners around the world. In the end, the Russian military and the Russian government are responsible for their own behavior, and when that behavior is unsafe and unprofessional, we will call it, as we have done in this case," he said.

Asked whether there was any concern that sensitive information would fall to the Russian side after the drone crash in the Black Sea, Brigadier General Ryder confirmed Washington had taken the necessary steps, underscoring the deep sea, when asked whether Russia could use technology or deploy divers to take the drone's ruins.

"We have indications that Russia is likely trying to recover the MQ-9 debris. As you show and as highlighted by General (Mark) Milley (Chairman of the US military's Joint Chiefs of Staff), we find it highly unlikely they can recover anything useful, given several factors: One, in fact and I will not do the details, but we are taking steps to protect the information on the plane. Second, the fact that it crashed in the water is very deep. So, you know, I will just let it go," he explained.

Asked about the reason Washington released the incident video in the Black Sea, Brigadier General Ryder said it was not worried about the release, calling it important to share the image.

"It's not uncommon for us to release images of incidents that are insecure and unprofessional. We've done it in other situations. And especially in this case, given the reckless and dangerous behavior, to show the public what kind of action Russia has taken, we feel it's important to give this picture," he explained.

"Of course, there are certain considerations that we have to consider when dealing with imagery, to include classification, to ensure that we don't accidentally issue sensitive information, but in this case, we can - to overcome it and provide it."

"The United States is not seeking conflict with Russia, we are not seeking an escalation with Russia, and we will continue to focus on our main mission in Ukraine, namely to support Ukraine in its struggle," he stressed.