A Russian fighter jet forced down a U.S. drone over the Black Sea

As Russian troops on the ground pushed forward in waves along the frontlines in eastern Ukraine—U.S. officials said a Russian fighter jet intercepted an American military MQ-9 ‘Reaper’ surveillance drone and struck the propeller, causing it to crash into the Black Sea.

“Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9,” said Air Force Gen. James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa.

“In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash,” Gen. Hecker said in a statement.

While they are still assessing exactly what happened in this incident—U.S. officials say the U.S. Air Force in Europe and Africa routinely fly aircraft throughout Europe, over sovereign territories, and throughout international air space while adhering to international laws to bolster collective European defense and security.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry denied that its aircraft came into contact with the drone.

U.S. officials say despite this downing, they will continue their missions.

There is a possibility they will attempt to recover the downed drone.

Both the White House and the Pentagon, have a warned Russia about the risk of escalation following this incident.