The Pentagon gave an update on Thursday afternoon on releasing drone imagery earlier in the morning which it said shows an aircraft—reported to be a Russian Su-27 fighter jet—intercepting a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 reaper drone in international airspace over the Black Sea.
The step was calculated, said Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder. “The United States does not seek conflict with Russia,” he said.
“We do have indications that Russia is likely making an effort to try to recover MQ-9 debris,” he continued.
