On Friday, June 28 the Ministry of Defense of the russian federation released a statement about the increased intensity of flights of US strategic reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea. It is also stated that these drones are used for reconnaissance and aiming of high-precision weapons of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
russians say that such flights significantly increase the risk of incidents with aircraft of russian Aerospace Forces. At the same time, russians traditionally blame NATO, saying that "member states, that are increasingly involved in the conflict in Ukraine, will be responsible".
Read more: Pentagon Says it Shut Down Hundreds of "Illegitimate" Starlinks Used by russian Forces in Ukraine
According to the statement, new Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov instructed the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the russian federation to "make proposals for measures to respond promptly to provocations."
It is unknown how exactly russia plans to counter the US drones. At the same time, russian propagandists are rejoicing that their troops will try to shoot down American reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea.
On June 24, russian propagandist Ilya Tumanov, known as Fighterbomber, reported about "increased turbulence" in the Black Sea, alluding to the alleged downing of a US reconnaissance drone. Later he had to justify his words.
In general, it is becoming clear that russians will not be able to completely push reconnaissance UAVs out of the Black Sea area. russian occupiers propose to prevent the drones from doing their job as much as possible by various dangerous maneuvers.
russians are also considering how to counter UAVs and escort fighters. Although they do not yet have a clear plan on how to do this.
It should be recalled that in March of 2023, russian Su-27 aircraft collided with an American MQ-9 Reaper UAV over the Black Sea. The drone performed a mission and was unarmed with an additional fuel tank. The drone was damaged. Eventually the operators decided to sink it.
Earlier Defense Express reported that the National Guard of Ukraine precisely had shot down russian Su-25 aircraft with the Igla MANPADS.
Read more: Video Shows a Ukrainian MiG-29 Launch AASM Hammer Precision-Guided Standoff Bombs
