According to the Russian Satellite Network, the video footage released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on the 3nd shows that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu awarded the "Medal of Courage" to pilots who carried out missions to intercept US drones over the Black Sea.
GIF source: Russian satellite network video screenshot
According to reports, fighter pilot Vavilov said: "On the same day, we were on air defense duty, and after receiving the take-off order, we flew the plane and another plane to intercept a drone that was trying to violate the boundary." After liftoff, we approached the plane, identified it, and maneuvered, forcing the drone to abandon its mission. ”
Russian Major Popov also noted that the Russian pilot did not use weapons and did not have contact with the drone.
According to a statement previously issued by the Russian Ministry of Defense, on the morning of the 14th, the airspace monitoring equipment of the Russian Aerospace Forces recorded that over the Black Sea in the Crimean Peninsula, an American MQ-9 "Reaper" drone flew towards the Russian border, while the transponder on board was turned off.
The Russian side said that in order to identify the aggressor, the Russian air defense force on duty sent fighters into the air. At about 9:30 Moscow time, the MQ-9 drone lost control and rapidly lost altitude due to violent maneuvering, and then crashed into the water. Russian fighters did not use airborne weapons, did not make contact with drones, and returned safely to the base airfield.
GIF: CNN video screenshot
For this incident, the United States said otherwise, saying that the drone was intercepted by two Russian Su-27 fighters, one of which hit the propeller of the drone, forcing the drone to crash in the waters of the Black Sea.
The U.S. European Command also released a video of what is said to be an encounter between U.S. and Russian military aircraft at that time. A senior U.S. official argued that the video "absolutely confirmed" that a physical collision and fuel dumping had occurred.
A few days ago, US Secretary of Defense Austin also said that the United States will not be affected by the plane collision incident and will continue to fly and operate at any location permitted by international law.