Russian fighter jets risk an escalation of conflict, US says
Syria has long been a battleground for US, Russian interests
Parachute flares, that according to the U.S. Air Force, released by a Russian SU-35, are visible near a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone over Syria on July 5.
Source: U.S. Air Force
The US military accused Russia of using fighter jets and flares to repeatedly disrupt its drone missions in Syria, moves it says risk provoking an escalation of conflict in the war-torn country.
The latest incident took place Thursday when Russian Su-34s and Su-35s dropped flares in front of US MQ-9 drones in northeast Syria, according to a statement and video footage released by US Air Forces Central, which is part of US military command responsible for the Middle and Near East.