On the second pass, the Su-27 approaches the MQ-9 Reaper so closely that the image momentarily becomes pixelated, signifying a collision.

#WATCH | US army published the footage from the drone incident with #Russia over the Black Sea

US Says, Two #Russian Su-27s conducted an unsafe & unprofessional intercept w/a @usairforce intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 operating w/i international… pic.twitter.com/GVPrI2Z7oP

— Subodh Kumar (@kumarsubodh_) March 16, 2023

When the camera recovers, a bowed propeller wing is visible; this damage is severe enough for the US Air Force to force the drone to land. It has fallen into international waters in the Black Sea, and senior Russian officials have expressed faith that it can be recovered.

US officials briefed that the footage “absolutely confirms” that there was a collision and a fuel dump, but added that it does not corroborate the Russian pilot’s intent and whether he intended to strike the Reaper.The Su-27 was equipped with at least four missiles, which can be seen by halting the imagery. The United States has stated that the Reaper was unarmed and conducting surveillance and reconnaissance in relation to the conflict in Ukraine.

The Pentagon stated that the footage, which is approximately 40 seconds long, was edited for length by the United States military, but that it showed events in sequential order at the conclusion of a sustained period of harassment by two Russian aircraft.

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The United States previously stated that the drone was damaged after two Su-27s attempted to disrupt it for at least a half-hour by spilling fuel on it and flying in front of it. Officials from the United States Air Force stated earlier this week that the jets flew near to the drone 19 times, spraying jet fuel three or four times.

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