France reports Russian jet's provocation against Reaper drone over Mediterranean
Photo: French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu (Getty Images)
A provocation by a Russian Su-35 fighter jet against a Reaper drone was observed over the Mediterranean Sea, according to French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
He stated that the incident occurred on Sunday, March 2. A French Reaper drone was conducting a surveillance mission in the eastern Mediterranean. A Russian Su-35 fighter approached the drone during the mission.
"The Russian Su-35 fighter acted dangerously toward the French Reaper drone… Three successive close encounters could have led to a loss of control of the drone," Lecornu emphasized.
He described the maneuver as "deliberate, unprofessional, and aggressive," calling it unacceptable.
"France will continue to take measures to protect freedom of navigation in international air and maritime space," he concluded.
Earlier, we reported that in July, American and Canadian fighter jets intercepted several Russian and Chinese bombers near Alaska’s coast.
In August, a US Coast Guard vessel detected a Russian ship within the US exclusive economic zone near the Aleutian Islands (Alaska)
