Russian aircraft conducts an intercept of a US Air Force surveillance drone in international airspace over the Black Sea. / Photo: AP Archive
On Friday, Russia's defence ministry said it had"observed an increased frequency of US strategic unmanned aerial vehicle flights over the waters of the Black Sea", which surrounds Crimea. Such flights"increase the risk of a direct confrontation between the alliance and Russia" and the army has been instructed to prepare an"operational response", the defence ministry said.
Russia has repeatedly warned Washington and the West they risk becoming"direct participants" in the Ukraine conflict by supplying Kiev with weapons. Russia nonetheless vowed there would be"consequences" and summoned US ambassador Lynne Tracy in protest.