Russian fighter jet aggressively approaches and damages US drone in Syria.

Tensions between the Russian and US militaries escalated on June 23, 2023, during an anti-ISIS mission in Syria, when a Russian fighter jet aggressively approached a US MQ-9 Reaper drone. The Russian fighter jet came within meters of the drone and dropped flares, severely damaging its propeller. And the Russians keep repeating their dangerous provocations of this type.

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 A Russian fighter jet aggressively approached and damaged a US drone in Syria (Picture sources: US Air Force and OSINTdefender)

Video footage from the MQ-9 Reaper drone captured the encounter, showing the Russian fighter jet releasing flares while closing in from behind. Despite the damage to its propeller, the drone's crew managed to maintain control and safely return the aircraft to its base.

This incident is part of a series of aggressive intercepts by Russian forces against US drones in the region. Over the past weeks, there have been multiple instances of Russian fighter jets harassing MQ-9 drones engaged in anti-Islamic State group missions, raising concerns about flight safety and straining relations between the two nations.

US officials have strongly condemned Russia's actions and called on Russian forces in Syria to cease what they view as "reckless, unprovoked, and unprofessional behavior." Analysts are investigating the reasons behind Russia's increasingly aggressive actions in the region.

With approximately 900 US forces in Syria, the situation remains tense as both countries continue their missions targeting Islamic State group militants. The ongoing encounters between US and Russian aircraft in the area raise concerns about potential accidents or further escalation, posing risks to lives and exacerbating the strained relations between the two nations.

On July 26, 2023, OSINTdefender shared pictures from the U.S. Central Command showing the damages on the propeller.