Russia: "Increase in US Drone Activity in the Black Sea... Rising Risk of Confrontation"

"Evidence of Involvement in Ukraine Conflict... Responsibility Lies with NATO"

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed on the 28th (local time) that the intensity of activities by U.S. strategic drones in the Black Sea is increasing, raising the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

In a statement on Telegram that day, the Russian Ministry of Defense said, "We note the increasing intensity of flights by U.S. strategic unmanned aerial vehicles over the Black Sea. These drones are intended to designate targets and conduct reconnaissance for Ukrainian precision weapons. These precision weapons have been supplied by Western countries to Ukraine to carry out airstrikes on facilities within Russia." It added, "This shows that the U.S. and NATO are further involving themselves in the conflict on the side of the Ukrainian regime."

It continued, "Such flights increase the possibility of airspace incidents with Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft, which raises the risk of direct confrontation between NATO allies and the Russian Federation. NATO countries must bear responsibility for this," it warned.

The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov instructed the Russian military staff to "prepare measures for a swift response to provocations."