Russian fighter forces down US drone close to Ukraine

In a tense altercation over the Black Sea, a Russian fighter jet forced a US drone out of the sky, causing it to crash into the sea close to Ukraine. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, and both sides have released conflicting statements about the cause of the incident.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the US drone reportedly entered Russian airspace and was flying dangerously close to their border. They claimed that despite several warnings, the drone did not alter course, and they were forced to take action to protect their national security.

However, the US military refutes this version of events, stating that the drone was flying in international airspace and was conducting routine operations when it was intercepted by the Russian fighter jet. They called the Russian actions “unsafe and unprofessional.”

The US military also condemned the Russian move, stating that it was “an unnecessary escalation of tensions” and that they “reserve the right to defend ourselves against unprovoked aggression.”

This incident comes amid escalating tensions between Russia and the US, with both sides taking a hardline stance on numerous issues, including Ukraine, Syria, and the deployment of missile defense systems. The US has also recently announced sanctions against Russia over the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The US drone is yet to be recovered, and investigations into the incident are ongoing. The Russian Defense Ministry has stated that they do not intend to return the wreckage to the US, and tensions between the two nations remain high.