US Military Drone Falls In Black Sea, Russia: Transponder Shuts Down And Enters Special Military Operation Zone

Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov. (Wikimedia Commons/US Mission Geneva/Eric Bridiers)

JAKARTA - The Russian Ministry of Defense said an MQ-9 drone belonging to the United States was detected by their airspace surveillance near the Crimean Peninsula, violating the boundaries of the interim airspace regime set during special operations.

"On March 14, 2023 in the morning, Russia's airspace control system detected an American MQ-9 drone flying over the Black Sea near the Crimean Peninsula towards the border of the Russian Federation state," the ministry said.

"The unmanned aircraft flew in a turned off charter, violated the limits of the interim airspace regime set for special military operations, communicated to all users of international airspace, and published in accordance with international standards," the ministry continued.

According to the ministry, after carrying out a sudden maneuver, the drone "flyed undirected by losing altitude and hitting the surface of the water."

"Russian planes do not use weapons, do not come into contact with drones and return safely to their air bases," the ministry said.

While previously reported, US European Command claimed one of two Russian Su-27 warplanes hit the drone's propellers and crashed into the Black Sea.

MQ-9men are reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles and modular attackers developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. The aircraft is equipped with a turboprop engine and can develop speeds of more than 400 kilometers per hour. The maximum flight duration is 24 hours. This drone is capable of carrying air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, as well as laser-guided bombs.

Separately, the MQ-9 unmanned aircraft reconnaissance mission over the Black Sea called the Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov is a provocation.

"The plane flew on a turn off charter and entered a special military operation zone. It (information about the zone) was published through international channels. We, Russia, have warned everyone about it. I think this is a real provocation," he told reporters after consultation at the US State Department, where the diplomat was called up for the incident.

Antonov said Russia was not seeking confrontation with the United States and was trying to engage in pragmatic cooperation with Washington.

After consultations at the US State Department, Antonov told reporters that "his last contact with his US counterparts was limited to protests and a negative signal against the Russian Federation."

"I have mentioned this, and I say that the Russian side is not interested in confrontation. The Russian side is interested in pragmatic relations with the United States, in the interests of the Russian people and the United States," added Antonov.