Over the Black Sea, a US combat drone “MQ-9 Reaper” collided with a Russian fighter jet.

“Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and jammed by a Russian aircraft, causing the crash and total loss of the MQ-9,” said General James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces Europe and Africa.

“This unsafe and unprofessional behavior by the Russians almost resulted in the loss of both aircraft,” Hecker said.

“One of the Russian Su-27 aircraft hit the MQ-9’s propeller, forcing US forces to shoot the MQ-9 down in international waters. Several times before the collision, the Su-27 refueled and flew in front of the MQ-9 in a reckless, environmentally harmful and in an unprofessional manner. This incident shows a lack of competence in addition to being unsafe and unprofessional,” Hecker said.

He added that US and allied aircraft would continue to operate in international airspace and called on the Russians to act professionally and safely.

NATO diplomats in Brussels confirmed the incident, but said they did not expect the incident to immediately escalate into further confrontation.

A Western military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that diplomatic channels between Russia and the US would be activated.

“I think it will be resolved through diplomatic channels,” the source said.