France says Russian fighter jet repeatedly flew ‘dangerously close’ to French surveillance drone

A Russian Su-35 fighter jet flew dangerously close to a French Reaper drone conducting a surveillance mission over the eastern Mediterranean on Sunday, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu has reported.

“Three consecutive flybys in close proximity to the drone, which could have caused a loss of control, indicate an intention to restrict freedom of movement in international space,” Lecornu wrote.

He described these actions as “deliberate, unprofessional, and aggressive,” as well as unacceptable.