Pentagon Responds as Russia Threatens U.S. Drone Operations Over Black Sea.

On June 28, 2024, the Pentagon held a press conference led by Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh in response to escalating Russian threats concerning U.S. drone flights over the Black Sea. This escalation follows Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov's directive to officials to prepare a response to these reconnaissance operations.
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An MQ-9 Reaper conducted a training mission over the Nevada Test and Training Range on July 15, 2019. (Picture source: US DoD)

Russia's warning suggests potential aggressive actions against U.S. drones, citing an "increased intensity" of these flights. The Russian Defense Ministry claims that these drones are involved in intelligence gathering and targeting for precision weapons supplied to Ukraine by Western countries, aimed at Russian facilities. According to the ministry, this indicates greater involvement of the U.S. and NATO in the Ukraine conflict.

The Russian Ministry of Defense noted that such flights increase the risk of incidents involving Russian military aircraft, potentially leading to direct confrontations between NATO and Russia. They stated that NATO members would bear responsibility for any such incidents.

This is not the first confrontation on this issue. In March 2023, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet damaged a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, causing it to crash into the Black Sea. This incident marked the first direct military engagement between Russian and U.S. forces since the Cold War, heightening tensions during the Ukraine war.

Following a Ukrainian missile attack on Sevastopol using U.S.-made ATACMS missiles, which resulted in casualties, Russia accused the U.S. of direct involvement by providing intelligence and targeting assistance. Consequently, Russian officials warned of retaliatory measures.

Additionally, the Belarusian military has increased its forces along Ukraine’s northern border, citing security threats. This includes deploying multiple rocket launchers along a section of the border. Belarus, a Russian ally, previously allowed its territory to be used for the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Recently, Belarus claimed to have downed a Ukrainian drone that crossed the border for intelligence gathering.

These developments underscore the heightened tensions and the potential for further conflict in the region as Western and Russian interests continue to clash over Ukraine.