A Russian Su-27 aircraft dumps fuel while flying upon a U.S. Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 aircraft over the Black Sea, March 14, 2023, in this still image taken from a handout video. Courtesy of U.S. European Command/Handout via REUTERS
WASHINGTON — The United States has indications that Russia is likely trying to recover debris from the U.S. drone downed after a Russian intercept over the Black Sea on Tuesday, March 14, the Pentagon said Thursday, even as it played down Moscow’s prospects for success.
“We do have indications that Russia is likely making an effort to try to recover MQ-9 debris … however, we assess it’s very unlikely that they would be able to recover anything useful,” said Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson.
READ: Ukraine war: US and Russian military chiefs in rare talks after drone downed
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russian ships had been seen near the area where the drone had crashed, though they did not appear to have recovered any parts of the drone yet. It was not clear if they were still in the area.
RELATED STORIES
Russia-Ukraine war: US general says drone crash part of Moscow’s increasing aggression
US says Russian jet caused spy drone crash over Black Sea, Moscow denies collision