CNN: MQ-9 Reaper incident over Black Sea limits US intelligence capabilities

Following the MQ-9 Reaper incident over the Black Sea in mid-March, U.S. drones changed routes in the area, limiting U.S. intelligence gathering capabilities. About it informs CNN, citing a senior Pentagon official.

“This definitely limits our ability to collect intelligence,” the source said.

An unnamed US military officer explained that long-range drone flights reduce the quality of intelligence. Another senior US military official admitted that it would be difficult for American drones to return to their usual routes after the decision to change them.

March 22 CNN citing US officials informedthat the United States decided to use its drones further south and at higher altitudes, as well as move away from the Crimea after the incident over the Black Sea with the MQ-9 Reaper. One source noted that Washington does not want to be “too provocative.” According to him, the administration of US President Joe Biden seeks to avoid direct conflict with Russia.

Earlier today, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did not respond to a question about changing the routes of American drones. “We will fly where necessary to collect the necessary intelligence information,” he stressed (quote according to TASS).

March 14 Russian Aerospace Forces fixed flight of an American drone over the Black Sea in the direction of the Russian border. The Ministry of Defense noted that he was flying with transponders turned off and in violation of borders in the area of ​​​​the temporary regime for the use of airspace.

As a result, fighter jets were lifted into the air. As explained in the department, the drone fell due to sharp maneuvering and loss of control, Russian aircraft did not use airborne weapons and did not come into contact with the drone.

The American side claims that the MQ-9 fell into the sea after one of the Russian fighter jets hit the propeller of the drone. March 16 Pentagon showed video allegedly showing the drone incident. According to the US, the footage shows two approaching Russian Su-27 aircraft. At the moment of a fighter jet flying near the drone, noise appears in the picture, then the camera is fixed on the damaged propeller of the drone.