LBCI

Russian defense minister decorates pilots for downing US drone

World

17-03-2023 | 10:14

Share

Share

Russian defense minister decorates pilots for downing US drone

2^min

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has presented awards to the pilots of two Su-27 fighter planes that intercepted a US drone near the airspace around Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, his ministry said on Friday.

The drone crashed into the Black Sea on Tuesday after being intercepted by Russian jets, in the first known direct military encounter between Russia and the United States since Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago.

Announcing the awards, the ministry repeated Russia's version of events - disputed by Washington - that the Russian planes did not make physical contact with the drone.

"As a result of sharp maneuvering around 9:30 a.m. (Moscow time), the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle went into uncontrolled flight with a loss of altitude and collided with the water surface," it said.

It said the drone had been flying with its transponders turned off and violating airspace restrictions that Russia had made public in connection with what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

The U.S. military had said the Russian fighter planes approached its MQ-9 Reaper drone during a reconnaissance mission over the Black Sea in international airspace. It said the fighters harassed the drone and sprayed fuel on it in an encounter lasting 30-40 minutes before one clipped the drone's propeller, causing it to crash into the sea.

The Pentagon on Thursday released a 40-second edited video showing a Russian fighter jet coming close to a U.S. military drone in the air, dumping fuel near it, and a damaged propeller in the aftermath. The top U.S. general said the incident demonstrated Moscow’s increasingly aggressive behavior.

Russia

Ukraine. US

Drone

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

US draws up plans to halt immigration, customs processing at 'sanctuary city' airports

2026-05-27

US draws up plans to halt immigration, customs processing at 'sanctuary city' airports

Iran president calls US naval blockade 'extension of military operations'

Middle East News

2026-04-30

Iran president calls US naval blockade 'extension of military operations'

Iranian source says US has agreed to unfreeze Iranian funds held in Qatar, other countries: Reuters

Middle East News

2026-04-11

Iranian source says US has agreed to unfreeze Iranian funds held in Qatar, other countries: Reuters

Hezbollah says targeted Israeli troops in north Israel

Middle East News

2026-05-14

Hezbollah says targeted Israeli troops in north Israel

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Axios: Next round of Lebanon-Israel talks postponed

1

Axios: Next round of Lebanon-Israel talks postponed

Aoun's Nabatieh visit: A message of state presence in South Lebanon

2

Aoun's Nabatieh visit: A message of state presence in South Lebanon

Lebanon Foreign Ministry condemns attack on Saudi East-West oil pipeline

3

Lebanon Foreign Ministry condemns attack on Saudi East-West oil pipeline

Sources to Reuters: Iraq orders closure of Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran

4

Sources to Reuters: Iraq orders closure of Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran

Trump says Yemen's Houthis have asked US not to intervene

5

Trump says Yemen's Houthis have asked US not to intervene

President Aoun visits Nabatieh, says South Lebanon's resilience is a 'national badge of honor'

6

President Aoun visits Nabatieh, says South Lebanon's resilience is a 'national badge of honor'

WSJ: US links Chinese satellite imagery to deadly Iranian attack in July

7

WSJ: US links Chinese satellite imagery to deadly Iranian attack in July

Trump: Iran likely responsible for attack on Saudi oil pipeline

8

Trump: Iran likely responsible for attack on Saudi oil pipeline

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More