Russia’s Defence Minister said in a call with his US counterpart on Wednesday that the “intensification” of US-led spying operations was one of the causes of the incident between Russian aircraft and a US drone in the Black Sea.
“The causes of the incident are the failure of the United States to observe the flight limitation zone announced by Russia and established due to the conduct of the special military operation (in Ukraine), as well as the strengthening of intelligence activities against Russia’s interests,” Sergei Shoigu was quoted as saying in a Russian Defence Ministry statement.
“The US strategic drone flights off Crimea are provocative in nature, which creates conditions for an escalation in the Black Sea,” the statement, issued after the call between Shoogou and Lloyd Austin, continued.
“Russia does not want such a development of events but will now react proportionately to any provocation,” the ministry added. “The major nuclear powers should act in the most responsible way possible, including keeping military communication channels open to discuss any crisis situation.”
In a separate statement, Russia’s Ministry of Defence said Chief of Staff Valery Geriassimov had also spoken by phone on Wednesday with his US counterpart, Mark Milley. It provided no further details.
The MQ-9 Reaper went down in international waters on Tuesday after being hit by a Russian fighter, according to Washington. Moscow admits the aircraft was intercepted by its fighter jets but denies any contact that led to the crash.
