A video was released this Thursday showing the interception of a US drone over the Black Sea. This has led to statements from both sides defending their positions in this incident.

The United States is certain that a Russian Su-27 intercepted an MQ-9, causing it to crash. However, Russia denies responsibility for the incident, which reportedly involved damage to the drone’s propeller, forcing it to be aborted.

Video of the Russian fighter’s impact against the US drone

The video shows a Su-27 aircraft approaching the MQ-9 propeller drone and releasing fuel as it passes. The Su-27 passes once more and drops fuel again.

The video then cuts out for 60 seconds, according to the US military, as the Russian plane hits the drone. When the images come back, it can be seen that the drone has lost part of the propeller.

According to the Pentagon, the drone was on a routine mission when it was intercepted in a “reckless” and “unprofessional” manner. Intercepted means that an aircraft makes visual or electronic contact with another.

The US Air Force has specified that this drone will be used for intelligence gathering and against dynamic execution targets. “It provides a unique ability to perform strikes, coordination and reconnaissance against high value, volatile and time-sensitive targets.”

It was added that they can also perform surveillance and reconnaissance duties, as well as close air support and combat research.

Two people are required to operate this system, one is a pilot to fly the aircraft and direct the mission and another to operate sensors and direct the weapons.

With a length of 11 meters and a height of 3.8 meters, the aircraft can fly up to 15,240 meters.