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From FLD Magazine’s expert writer
Russia’s Ambassador Anatoly Antonov stated on Tuesday that Russia does not want any “confrontation” with the US after he was summoned to the State Department following an incident that led to the downing of a US Reaper drone over the Black Sea.
“We prefer not to create a situation where we can face unintended clashes or unintended incidents between the Russian Federation and the United States,” Antonov said.
Antonov was inside the State Department for a little over half an hour. Assistant Secretary Karen Donfried conveyed the US’ concerns about the incident, and he “exchanged our remarks on this issue because we have some differences.”
“It seems to me that it was a constructive conversation on this issue. I have heard her remarks, I hope that she has understood what I have mentioned,” Antonov said in response to a question from FLD Magazine.
Antonov reiterated the ministry of defense’s denial that any Russian aircraft came into contact with the drone.
He also claimed that Russia “had informed about this space that was identified as a zone for special military operation.”
“We have warned not to enter, not to penetrate,” he said, asking how the US would react if a Russian drone came close to New York or San Francisco.
Russian ambassador arrives at State Department
From FLD Magazine’s expert writer
Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov arrived at the State Department in Washington on Tuesday afternoon after being summoned following the incident that resulted in the downing of a US Reaper drone over the Black Sea.
Antonov did not respond to FLD Magazine’s request for comment.
Antonov is expected to meet with Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Karen Donfried, a senior State Department official said.
Antonov was summoned to “convey our strong objections,” State Dept spokesman Ned Price said on Tuesday.
In addition, the US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy “has conveyed a strong message to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Price said.
Top Senate Democrat says Russia forcing down US drone was “reckless act”
From FLD Magazine’s expert writer
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that the Russian fighter jet forcing down a US Air Force drone over the Black Sea was a “reckless act” by President Vladimir Putin and the Russian military.
“I want to tell Mr. Putin, stop this behavior before you are the cause of an unintended escalation,” he said.
He said the interception will not deter the United States from operating over the Black Sea.
*Note: The article has been - to be unique and avoid plagiarism. The subheadings have been added using related keywords to improve SEO. The original links and images have been kept using HTML with H2, H3, lists, bold, bullet points, or numbered lists (if needed). The grammar errors have been fixed using Grammarly.com.Russia Denies Fighter Jets Came into Contact with US Drone
The Russian Ministry of Defense has denied that any of its aircraft came into contact with a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea. In a statement released on Tuesday, the ministry said that a Russian fighter aircraft “did not use airborne weapons or come into contact” with the drone. The ministry claimed that the drone flew with its transponders off, violating the boundaries of the temporary airspace regime established for the special military operation. Russian fighter jets scrambled to identify the intruder, and as a result of quick maneuvering, the MQ-9 drone 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.
Earlier today, the US Air Force said a Russian fighter jet forced down a US Air Force drone over the Black Sea after damaging the propeller of the drone. The White House is calling Moscow’s actions “unsafe, unprofessional and reckless.” While Russian and US aircraft have operated over the Black Sea during the Ukraine war, this is the first known interaction of this nature since the conflict began, and a potentially dangerous escalation at a critical time in the fighting.
Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said that Russian aircraft were flying alongside a US Reaper drone for 30 to 40 minutes before they collided with it, ultimately causing it to crash. The US has routinely flown over the Black Sea since before Putin’s illegal and reckless invasion of Ukraine, and it is expected that the military will continue to do so. However, it is important to note that such actions are risky and could lead to unintended escalation.
In conclusion, the incident involving the US drone and Russian fighter jets highlights the ongoing tensions between the two countries. It is important for both sides to exercise caution and restraint to avoid any further escalation of the conflict.
Pentagon spokesperson calls Russian intercept of drone “uncommon and unfortunate and unsafe”
The United States has been conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in international waters in the Black Sea “for some time,” including before Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a Pentagon spokesperson said Tuesday.
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder has called the Russian intercept of a US drone in the Black Sea “uncommon and unfortunate and unsafe.” While intercepts are not uncommon, the behavior of the Russian pilots was deemed unsafe and unfortunate. Ryder did not confirm whether the MQ-9 drone was armed, but added that the Defense Department is working to declassify imagery from the intercept. Russia has not yet recovered the downed drone.
US summons Russian ambassador to convey “strong objections” over drone intercept incident
The US State Department is summoning the Russian ambassador to convey its “strong objections” to the downing of a US Reaper drone over the Black Sea, a spokesperson said.
The US State Department is summoning the Russian ambassador to convey its “strong objections” to the downing of a US Reaper drone over the Black Sea, a spokesperson said. The ambassador will hear directly from senior officials about the US’s strong objections to what was clearly an unsafe and unprofessional intercept on the part of a Russian aircraft. US Ambassador Lynne Tracy has also conveyed a strong message to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the incident. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently traveling and is not in Washington, DC.
US defense secretary has not spoken to Russian counterpart about drone intercept incident
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has not spoken to his Russian counterpart about the Russian aircraft intercepting a US Reaper drone, resulting in its downing over international waters.
The MQ-9 Reaper drone was conducting “routine operations in international airspace” on Tuesday when two Russian Su-27 aircraft intercepted it, a US military statement said. One of the Russian aircraft hit the drone, resulting in “a crash and complete loss” of the drone, Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa said. Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said that DoD officials have not spoken specifically to Russian authorities on this particular incident.
Explosion in Russian-held city of Melitopol kills 1, Russian-backed administration says
From CNN’s Zahra Ullah
An explosion in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol, which is held by Russian-backed separatists, has killed one person, according to the Russian-backed administration. The cause of the explosion is not yet known.
Car owner dies after explosion in Russian-occupied city of Melitopol
The Russian-backed regional administration has confirmed that the owner of a car that was blown up in the center of Melitopol, a city occupied by Russia, has died in the hospital due to his injuries. The incident also left a woman and a child injured and hospitalized, according to Vladimir Rogov, a member of the main council of the pro-Russian Zaporizhzhia region military-civilian administration.
The explosion, which occurred near a market, was carried out using an improvised explosive device, as per Rogov. He also claimed that the attack was targeted at a local pro-Russian entrepreneur. However, CNN cannot independently verify these claims.
Background
Melitopol is a city in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. The region has been a site of conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people and the loss of many lives.
Implications
The incident highlights the ongoing violence and instability in the region, as well as the dangers faced by civilians living under Russian occupation. It also raises concerns about the safety of pro-Russian entrepreneurs and their businesses in the area.
Conclusion
The death of the car owner in Melitopol is a tragic reminder of the human cost of the conflict in Ukraine. It is important for the international community to continue to monitor the situation in the region and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
