The White House called the restrictions of Russia over the Black Sea illegal

The US is not going to adhere to the aviation restrictions imposed by Russia over the Black Sea, as they consider them illegal. This was stated by the coordinator for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council, John Kirby.

“They can say what they want <…> about the restrictions. We do not comply with them. They are illegal,” he said (cit. according to RIA Novosti), adding that the United States plans to continue flying in this zone, since their actions do not violate international law.

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, Russian fighter jets were lifted into the air. As explained in the department, the drone fell due to sharp maneuvering and loss of control, while 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. The Pentagon said the drone was on a reconnaissance mission, without specifying if the drone carried a weapon. At the US State Department considered the actions of the Russian military are unintentional. The day before, March 16, the Pentagon showed video allegedly showing the drone incident. According to the American side, 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.