Russia accuses U.S. of causing close encounter between two aircraft over Syria
A representative from the Russian Defense Ministry accused US forces of causing a dangerously close encounter between aircraft over Syria earlier this month.
On Friday, US officials said that a Russian plane flew dangerously close to a combat aircraft from the US-led coalition.
According to the officials, the incident, which occurred on October 17, was not a threat. The Russian pilot just lost “control over the situation.”
On October 29, Russian Major-General Igor Konashenkov rejected this statement, saying that the American plane had suddenly dropped in altitude. He said that the US aircraft was at a distance of about 500 meters from the Russian Su-35 fighter.
Russian and American forces are communicating in order to avoid possible collisions in Syria.
A dangerous encounter between Russian and US planes has been recorded before. Last month, a Russian fighter flew within 10 feet of an American spy plane over the Black Sea.