New video shows Russian fighter jets harassing American drones over Syria, US Air Force says

U.S. Air Forces Central released new video appearing to show Russian fighter jets harassing American drones over Syria on July 5. Information about where the incidents took place were not provided. The United States military released new aerial footage on Wednesday that showed Russian fighter jets flying dangerously close to several U.S. drones over Syria. U.S. Air Forces Central said the video of the incident shows Russian SU-35 fighters moving into the drone's flight path and setting off so-called parachute flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, commander of 9th Air Force in the Middle East, said three of the U.S. drones were operating over Syria, conducting a mission on the Islamic State terror group, when the Russian aircraft "began harassing the drones" after 10:30 a.m. "Russian military aircraft engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior while interacting with U.S. aircraft in Syria," he said, describing the actions as threatening to the safety of the U.S. and Russian forces.