Being Tactful with Americans is Wrong: Medvedev on Black Sea UAV Incident

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has responded sharply to the incident involving an American unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Black Sea, stating that being tactful with the United States is a mistake, although military communication is indeed necessary.

“To put it simply, they have completely lost it. And it is a mistake to be tactful with them. Although, of course, communication with the military is also needed. Especially against the backdrop of statements by American scoundrels like Senator Graham, suggesting that Russian aircraft should be shot down. Incidentally, air incidents sometimes happen with such people as well,” Medvedev noted on his Telegram channel.

Speaking about the incident involving the drone, he pointed out that there is no international convention on this issue. The 1944 Chicago Convention and other international documents do not regulate these matters. “By the way, let me remind you that the Americans canceled the Open Skies Treaty, which granted rights for military inspections,” the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added.

He further explained that domestic legislation is still being formed. However, there are terms such as “prohibited zones” and “restricted zones” in air law. According to Article 15 of the Air Code, prohibited zones, dangerous zones (areas of test sites, areas of explosive work, etc.), and zones with restrictions on aircraft flights are defined, along with other elements of the structure of airspace for conducting activities in the airspace.

“Drones must also comply with these rules, especially during military operations, which all airspace users are aware of. Furthermore, it is sometimes difficult to document the exact moment when an aircraft or UAV enters the sea. And that is part of our territory, extending over which is our sovereignty,” Medvedev declared.

It should be noted that on March 14, the U.S. European Command announced that a Russian Su-27 aircraft collided with an American MQ-9 drone, causing the latter to fall into the Black Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry responded to the incident, stating that the American MQ-9 drone fell into the Black Sea due to a sharp maneuver and that the Russian fighter jets did not touch them.