An American drone was shot down by a Russian plane over the Black Sea
A Russian fighter jet collided with an American drone, causing the unmanned US aircraft to crash in the Black Sea, the US military said, as quoted by the BBC.
The source notes that the drone was on a routine mission in international airspace when two Russian jets tried to intercept it.
US European Command said Tuesday's crash was the result of an "unprofessional act by the Russians".
US and allied forces will continue to operate in the area, it added. There is no mention of the incident in Russia.
"Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and struck by a Russian aircraft, resulting in the crash and complete loss of the MQ-9," the US statement said.
Several times prior to the collision, Su-27 fighter jets dropped fuel on the drone in an "reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional manner."
MQ-9 Reaper drones are large unmanned aircraft with a 20-metre wingspan designed for high-altitude surveillance.
White House spokesman John Kirby said Russian intercepts of US aircraft are not unusual over the Black Sea, but this is the first time one has resulted in an accident.
In this context, a US State Department spokesman said they would summon Russia's ambassador to the US on Tuesday.
Tensions have been rising in the region since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the US and UK have stepped up reconnaissance and surveillance flights, although they always operate in international airspace.
