American-Russian Drone Conflict by Maggie Loomis
On March 15th, 2023, an American drone was shot down by a Russian jet. This course of events is creating further conflict between Russia and America. Conflicts have already been present because the American government disapproves of the Russian communist government and their war efforts against Ukraine.
Russia is very content with their decision to shoot down the drone. Although the drone was not in Russian territory, Russia says that the United States should have no reason to keep drones over the Black Sea, calling the United States out for their spying efforts. Russia firmly believes the United States is in the wrong.
The Russian government even went as far as to award the pilot that damaged the drone. The jet flew by the drone, then turned around to come back and spray jet fuel on the drone. The jet fuel damaged the drone, but the Russian jet came back again. The camera went out and the drone was damaged; indicating that the Russian jet initiated contact with the drone. The camera did restart, but not without some lost footage and damage to the lens.
Russia questions how this situation is different from the Chinese “spy balloon” situation. It seems as if these two situations are similar, but in further analysis, it is clear that these situations are different. For starters, the Chinese spy balloon was over American soil. Over the course of seven days it drifted across the country. The spy balloon was first spotted in Montana, on February 1st. The balloon then went on to travel Alaska, Idaho, and Missouri before being shot down off the coast of South Carolina. This is very different from the U.S. drone. The United States drone was not over Russian territory. The United States drone was over the Black Sea, which is surrounded by many countries, including both Russia and Ukraine.
Many Americans are asking themselves, should I be scared? The truth is many Americans are frightened because between the “spy balloon” and the drone situation there is some tension with outside forces. Should Americans worry? The truth is probably not. Although there is tension between the American military/government and other outside governments, it is nothing too noteable.
Russia is very content with their decision to shoot down the drone. Although the drone was not in Russian territory, Russia says that the United States should have no reason to keep drones over the Black Sea, calling the United States out for their spying efforts. Russia firmly believes the United States is in the wrong.
The Russian government even went as far as to award the pilot that damaged the drone. The jet flew by the drone, then turned around to come back and spray jet fuel on the drone. The jet fuel damaged the drone, but the Russian jet came back again. The camera went out and the drone was damaged; indicating that the Russian jet initiated contact with the drone. The camera did restart, but not without some lost footage and damage to the lens.
Russia questions how this situation is different from the Chinese “spy balloon” situation. It seems as if these two situations are similar, but in further analysis, it is clear that these situations are different. For starters, the Chinese spy balloon was over American soil. Over the course of seven days it drifted across the country. The spy balloon was first spotted in Montana, on February 1st. The balloon then went on to travel Alaska, Idaho, and Missouri before being shot down off the coast of South Carolina. This is very different from the U.S. drone. The United States drone was not over Russian territory. The United States drone was over the Black Sea, which is surrounded by many countries, including both Russia and Ukraine.
Many Americans are asking themselves, should I be scared? The truth is many Americans are frightened because between the “spy balloon” and the drone situation there is some tension with outside forces. Should Americans worry? The truth is probably not. Although there is tension between the American military/government and other outside governments, it is nothing too noteable.