Russia’s Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has instructed officials to prepare an immediate “response” to the increased US drone flights over the Black Sea.
The ministry announced the decision on June 28, 2024, signaling a potential escalation as Moscow warned it may take forceful actions to deter US and other NATO reconnaissance aircraft.
According to the ministry, these surveillance drones, mainly flying out of the Sigonella Naval Air Station in Sicily, are conducting intelligence and targeting operations to assist Ukraine with precision weapons supplied by Western countries aimed at Russian facilities.
“This indicates a heightened involvement of the US and other NATO countries in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime,” the ministry stated.
Citing military sources, Russian daily Izvestia reported that on June 24, 2024, a Global Hawk was near Crimea during a Ukrainian missile strike on Sevastopol, allegedly carried out with ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington to Kyiv.
The missile attack left three people dead and at least 100 injured in Sevastopol, according to local governor Mikhail Razvojaev. Sevastopol, a major naval port and the location of the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters, is frequently the focus of Ukrainian attacks.
The ministry further warned that such drone flights increase the risk of incidents involving Russian military aircraft, potentially leading to direct confrontations between NATO and Russia.
“NATO members will bear responsibility for that.” the ministry concluded.
On March 14, 2023, two Russian Su-27 Flankers intercepted a USAF MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea. One of the fighters collided with the drone, the latter eventually crashing into international waters.
