Russia claimed Tuesday that it had sent two fighter jets to intercept two drones over the Black Sea, but did not say which countries had deployed them.
“To prevent a potential violation of Russia’s state border and to counter UAVs conducting electronic reconnaissance, two Russian fighter jets were lifted”, the defence ministry stated, naming the drones an MQ-9 Reaper and a Bayraktar TB2.
As a result of the operation, “the UAVs changed their flight direction and left the areas where aerial reconnaissance was being conducted”, it added.
Since Russia abandoned a treaty protecting exports from Ukrainian ports in mid-July, tensions in the Black Sea have risen, with attacks on both sides rising.
Russia reported earlier on Tuesday that it had destroyed two Ukrainian military boats in the vicinity.
In recent months, incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have increased over the Black Sea and Baltic Sea.
Tensions between Moscow and Washington rose after a US Reaper drone collided with a Russian fighter jet over the Black Sea in mid-March.
In May, Moscow announced that it had intercepted four US strategic bombers above the Baltic Sea in two different instances within a week.
Russia has also claimed to have intercepted aircraft from France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
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