Russian Su-35, US MQ-9 Reaper Drones Come Dangerously Close To Collision; RuAF Pilot ‘Saves The Day’: Media

Three MQ-9 Reaper drones of the US-led coalition in the skies over Homs province came dangerously close to a Su-35 fighter of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The Russian pilot took timely measures to prevent a collision, said Major General Yuri Popov.

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“On June 21, from 12:33 to 12:46, over the village of Es-Sukhna in Homs province, at altitudes from 7000 to 8000 m, there was a dangerous approach between three modular reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicles MQ-9 Reaper of the coalition with a Su-35 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Carrying out a scheduled flight in Syrian airspace, the Russian pilot, demonstrating high professionalism, promptly took the necessary measures to prevent a collision,” Popov said, according to Tass News Agency.

He added that in the Al-Tanf area, 12 violations were recorded during the day by two pairs of F-15 fighters, a pair of Typhoons, and three pairs of A-10 attack aircraft.

Last year, on March 14, the US Air Force announced that a Russian Su-27 fighter collided with the rear propeller of its MQ-9 Reaper drone, forcing the US to crash the drone into the Black Sea.

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File Image: Su-27 dumping fuel on Reaper drone

A press release published by the US Europe Command stated that two Russian Su-27s dumped fuel on and soared in front of the US MQ-9 Reaper drone many times before one collided with its propeller.

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Later, a US official revealed in May last year that a Russian surface-to-air missile had narrowly missed their Reaper drone in Syria in November 2022. According to reports, the missile detonated a mere 40 feet away from the drone. The UAV was damaged but managed to return to its base and land safely.

Via: ET Digital Desk