For the second time in 24 hours, Russian fighter jets have performed unsafe maneuvers near U.S. military drones operating over Syria, escalating tensions in the region. The U.S. Air Forces Central released video footage showing Russian aircraft flying dangerously close to American MQ-9 Reaper drones and deploying flares, creating a hazardous situation for all aircraft involved.
This recent incident follows a similar event the previous day, where Russian jets also employed flares near U.S. drones and flew in close proximity, forcing the American pilots to take evasive action. Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Commander of the 9th Air Force and Combined Forces Air Component Commander for U.S. Central Command, condemned the actions as "unprofessional and unsafe," highlighting the risk they pose to both Coalition and Russian forces.
The U.S. military has called on Russia to cease these reckless behaviors and adhere to professional standards. The incidents underscore the potential for miscalculation and escalation in the region, where approximately 900 U.S. troops are deployed, primarily working with Kurdish-led forces against ISIS.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, a Russian pilot reportedly activated their aircraft's afterburner directly in front of a U.S. drone, disrupting its operation and further demonstrating the dangerous nature of these encounters. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, echoed concerns about the heightened risk of escalation.
