WASHINGTON — A Russian fighter jet downed a U.S. drone working over the Black Sea on Tuesday, U.S. European Command mentioned in an announcement.

“Our MQ-9 plane was conducting routine operations in worldwide airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian plane, leading to a crash and full lack of the MQ-9,” mentioned U.S. Air Pressure Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa.

Previous to the collision, two Russian plane harassed the drone, he mentioned.

“A number of instances earlier than the collision, the Su-27s dumped gasoline on and flew in entrance of the MQ-9 in a reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional method,” the assertion added.

The incident “demonstrates a scarcity of competence” by Russia, the European Command mentioned. The U.S. known as the conduct “unsafe and unprofessional,” and a part of a sample of harmful conduct by Russian pilots.

The incident occurred in worldwide airspace, Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby advised reporters. He added that the U.S. was persistently flying over the Black Sea earlier than the conflict in Ukraine broke out in February of final yr.

Kirby mentioned that the U.S. isn’t required to “test in” Russia earlier than flying. He added that the State Division would focus on the matter with Russian counterparts.

The Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for remark.

The MQ-9 Reaper drone system is designed to gather intelligence and perform reconnaissance missions and is manufactured by Common Atomics Aeronautical Techniques.

The remotely piloted system can carry a mix of Hellfire missiles, Joint Direct Assault Munitions, or JDAMs.