These US Air Force images show Russian jets harassing three American drones over Syria in an incident that it labelled “unprofessional and unsafe”.

The footage shows Russian Su-35 jets dropping parachuted flairs in the drones’ paths, forcing it to “conduct evasive manoeuvres”, with one of the Russian aircraft then using its afterburners in front of one of the American UAVs.

Newsflash obtained a statement from the US Air Force on 5th July saying that the images show “Russian SU-35 fighter aircraft close in on U.S. MQ-9 aircraft on July 5, 2023 over on July 5, 2023 over Syria.”

The statement also said: “The Russian SU-35 fighter aircraft employed parachute flares in the flight path of U.S. MQ-9 aircraft. Against established norms and protocols, this forced U.S. aircraft to conduct evasive manoeuvres.

“Additionally, one Russian pilot positioned their aircraft in front of an MQ-9 and engaged afterburner, dynamically increasing speed and air pressure, which reduced the MQ-9 operator’s ability to safely operate the aircraft.

“These events represent a new level of unprofessional and unsafe action by Russian air forces operating in Syria.”