Russia will attempt to salvage wrecked US drone
Russia will attempt to retrieve and study the wreckage of the American MQ-9 drone that crashed into the Black Sea after being harassed by Russian fighter jets.
Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Russian Security Council, told Rossiya-1 TV on Wednesday that he was not certain the drone could be extricated. “I hope, of course, for success,” Patrushev said. “The Americans keep saying that they are not participating in hostilities. This is yet another confirmation that they are directly involved in these events, in the war.”
Two Russian SU-27 fighters intercepted the drone Tuesday, dumping fuel on it, flying in front of it and demonstrating a “lack of competence,” according to a statement from the U.S. European Command. One of the fighters clipped the propeller of the drone, which forced U.S. operators to bring it down in international waters, U.S. officials said.
The Russian Defense ministry said its fighter jets were trying to identify the “intruder” when the drone’s own abrupt maneuvering caused it to crash.
On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin blasted Russia for downing the drone and vowed that such reconnaissance flights would continue. Austin, speaking before allies discussed aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, branded the actions by pilots of the warplanes that forced the crash “dangerous, reckless and unprofessional.”
The Pentagon shares intelligence it gathers with Ukrainian forces. Russia operates warships in the Black Sea and fires missile from them. Tuesday’s encounter is the first physical clash between Russia and the United States, which raises tension and concerns about escalation.
Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the United States was summoned by the State Department after the drone incident Tuesday and said he had a 30-minute conversation with Deputy Secretary of State Karen Donfried. He said they discussed the drone about half the time and Russian concerns with U.S. activities the other half. Antonov told Rossiya-1 TV that his country “will not allow anyone to break into its waters.”
Also Wednesday:
⬤ Polish intelligence services said they detained six people and broke up a spy network working for Russia, Radio RMF in Warsaw reported. A security alert was issued for railways and the national infrastructure.
⬤ The U.K. defense ministry says British and German air force fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian aircraft flying close to Estonian airspace. The Russian plane did not enter the airspace of Estonia, which is a member of NATO.
⬤ Ukraine’s 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down a Russian Su-24 supersonic tactical bomber near Donetsk Oblast’s Bakhmut, brigade spokeswoman Iryna Rybakova said.
Poland says several nations are ready to send fighter jets
Poland has received “clear declarations” from several countries willing to supply Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets, Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller said Wednesday. Bloomberg and Russia’s state-run Tass, reporting on a news conference in Warsaw, said Muller did not name specific countries.
“We will announce the details in due time. These decisions are being made by a group of several countries,” he said. “Although we have clear declarations as to which countries these will be, we have agreed that they will announce their decisions in accordance with their procedures.”
On Tuesday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Warsaw could transfer a “limited number” of Sovietera jets to Ukraine within four to six weeks if a coalition of allies could agree on the terms. Slovakian Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad has expressed support for a joint delivery of MiG-29s with Poland. President Joe Biden has declined to provide fighter jets amid concerns it would expand the war.