Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov suggested that those “who are not supposed to” not fly in the airspace in order to avoid a repetition of the incidents that occurred with the American MQ-9 Reaper drone. He stated this in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin for the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin” on TV channel “Russia-1”, commenting on the reaction of the United States.
The Kremlin spokesman denied the accusations of the American side that the fall of the US drone into the Black Sea and the alleged dumping of fuel on it (which the Pentagon claims) were not environmentally friendly.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have flown there, who isn’t supposed to?” he asked.
Peskov stressed that in this case, “everything would be environmentally friendly.”
Earlier Wednesday, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said the US would continue to fly everywhere in accordance with international law. He urged Russia to use military aircraft “safely and professionally.”
Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev stressed that Russia will try to get the remains of the American MQ-9 Reaper drone that fell into the Black Sea.
The incident with the Russian Su-27 fighter and the American MQ-9 drone on March 14 was reported by the US European Command (USEUCOM). It was noted that during the interception, the aircraft hit the drone propeller with its wing, after which it fell in the international waters of the Black Sea.
Observers of the American television channel CBS showed a video that simulated a possible “collision” scenario. Allegedly, a Russian Aerospace Forces Su-27 fighter allegedly dropped jet fuel near the MQ-9 Reaper, causing it to fall uncontrollably.
At the same time, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that Russian fighters did not use airborne weapons and did not come into contact with the drone.
Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov arrived at the US State Department after a call received after the incident. He called the appearance of a US drone over the Black Sea a provocation and said that Russia had warned “not to enter or penetrate” into this space.
