US DoD can't confirm Russian reports on drone debris recovery

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Mar 2023 23:26

When asked whether the US and Russia have discussed compensation over the drone, Press secretary Pat Ryder answered "not to my knowledge."

This photo taken from a video released on Thursday, March 16, 2023, shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 drone and beginning to release fuel as it passes, over the Black Sea, the Pentagon said (US Department of Defense via AP)

At today's press briefing in the Pentagon, Press Secretary Pat Ryder said that he saw reports that Russia recovered the debris of the US drone which was downed in the Black Sea on March 14.

However, he was not able to confirm them.

"I've seen press reports to that effect, but I can't corroborate any information whether they have or have not," Ryder told at the briefing.

When asked whether the US and Russia have discussed compensation over the drone, Ryder answered "not to my knowledge."

On March 14, the US European Command claimed that a Russian fighter jet dumped fuel on an American drone over the Black Sea and then collided with it, causing the drone to crash. The White House called the crash a result of "reckless" behavior by Russia.

The Russian Defense Ministry denied US allegations and said its fighter jets did not come into contact with the US MQ-9 drone that crashed into the Black Sea earlier, pointing out that the drone crashed due to "sharp maneuvering".

'The US has the right to help Ukraine'

Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder says the United States does not seek conflict or escalation with Russia despite drone incident.https://t.co/X3flQUBL0r

📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/MtbQBkWNps
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 16, 2023

On March 15, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said that the US still unsure if the downing of a US drone over the Black Sea was intentional.

"So, was it intentional or not? Don't know yet. We know that the intercept was intentional. We know that the aggressive behavior was intentional. We also know it was very unprofessional and very unsafe," Milley said during a press briefing.