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Russia Warns US Drone Flights Over Black Sea Risk Direct Confrontation with NATO Amid Crimea Tensions

Jun 28, 2024, 08:09 AM

Russia has issued a stern warning to the United States, stating that reconnaissance drone flights over the Black Sea significantly increase the risk of direct confrontation between Moscow and NATO. The Russian Defense Ministry claims that U.S. drones are being used to conduct reconnaissance and target high-precision weapons supplied to Ukraine by the West. This warning follows recent incidents where Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) have been used to lay mines and damage around two dozen Russian ships in the Black Sea. The Kremlin's heightened rhetoric comes amid growing tensions over the Crimea incident, where Russia blamed Washington for a deadly missile strike. Russia's defense minister has ordered the Joint Chiefs to submit proposals for an operational response to the spike in U.S. drone flights.