Washington has, at least verbally, ignored Moscow's warning about the possibility of taking retaliatory measures against its reconnaissance drone flights over the Black Sea.

The Pentagon stated that flights would continue "over international waters and in international airspace where the law allows."

However, in reality, the U.S. has indeed recalled its drones from this region, replacing them with manned aircraft.

Pentagon Responds as Russia Threatens U.S. Drone Operations Over Black Sea.

1 Jul, 2024 - 7:46
Defense News Aerospace 2024

On June 28, 2024, the Pentagon held a press conference led by Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh in response to escalating Russian threats concerning U.S. drone flights over the Black Sea. This escalation follows Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov's directive to officials to prepare a response to these reconnaissance operations.

An MQ-9 Reaper conducted a training mission over the Nevada Test and Training Range on July 15, 2019. (Picture source: US DoD)

Russia's warning suggests potential aggressive actions against U.S. drones, citing an "increased intensity" of these flights.

The Russian Defense Ministry claims that these drones are involved in intelligence gathering and targeting for precision weapons supplied to Ukraine by Western countries, aimed at Russian facilities.
According to the ministry, this indicates greater involvement of the U.S. and NATO in the Ukraine conflict.
The Russian Ministry of Defense noted that such flights increase the risk of incidents involving Russian military aircraft, potentially leading to direct confrontations between NATO and Russia. They stated that NATO members would bear responsibility for any such incidents.

This is not the first confrontation on this issue. In March 2023, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet damaged a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, causing it to crash into the Black Sea.

This incident marked the first direct military engagement between Russian and U.S. forces since the Cold War, heightening tensions during the Ukraine war.

Following a Ukrainian missile attack on Sevastopol using U.S.-made ATACMS missiles, which resulted in casualties, Russia accused the U.S. of direct involvement by providing intelligence and targeting assistance. Consequently, Russian officials warned of retaliatory measures.

Additionally, the Belarusian military has increased its forces along Ukraine’s northern border, citing security threats. This includes deploying multiple rocket launchers along a section of the border. Belarus, a Russian ally, previously allowed its territory to be used for the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Recently, Belarus claimed to have downed a Ukrainian drone that crossed the border for intelligence gathering.

These developments underscore the heightened tensions and the potential for further conflict in the region as Western and Russian interests continue to clash over Ukraine.

Washington has replaced its reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea with manned Jet amid Russian threats.

1 Jul, 2024 - 14:00
Defense News Aerospace 2024

In fact, the verbal reaction of the U.S. Department of Defense can hardly be called unexpected. No one expected that after Moscow's words, the U.S. would completely cease flying in this area.

However, experts note that U.S. military reconnaissance aircraft are now kept at a respectful distance. Although international law allows them to fly within 23 kilometers of the Crimea coast.
Overall, Moscow's statement and Washington's reaction are just links in a long chain of mutual testing between the United States and the Russian Federation.

Although encounters in the sky are now common, the interception of an American drone by a Sukhoi over the Black Sea is still remembered.

Wikipedia

2023 Black Sea drone incident - Wikipedia

It was foreseeable that new interceptions would occur.
However, shooting down an aircraft with a pilot constitutes a casus belli, a reason to go to war.
Therefore, Russia today cannot attempt such a maneuver, which was possible with a drone, which in itself remains no more than metal.

Today, we may wonder if this reduction in reconnaissance missions in favor of the Ukrainian armed forces will really have an impact. It is not yet certain, as the Ukrainian forces are accustomed to and capable of striking "blindly."

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US Air Force F-16 fighter jets to be deployed around the strategic Strait of Hormuz to protect ships from Iranian seizures, says senior defense official. (AP file photo)

US sending F-16 fighter jets to protect ships from Iranian seizures in Gulf region

". . .Syrian state media, he said Moscow is concerned about drone flights by the US-led coalition over northern Syria, calling them “systematic violations of protocols” designed to avoid clashes between the two militaries.
US and Russian military commanders routinely communicate over a deconfliction phone line that has been in place for several years to avoid unintended clashes in Syria, where both sides have troops on the ground and in the air.
There are often many calls a day, and at times result in angry threats as commanders argue over an ongoing operation, said the US official. Describing a conversation, the official said the Russians will often declare an area of space a restricted operating zone and say they are doing military exercises there.

The US sees no exercises, and tells Russia that American forces are on a counterterror mission against the Daesh group and plan to fly in that area.
The Russians then say they can’t guarantee US aircraft safety if they go there.
And once the mission begins, and the aircraft move into the zone, “it sometimes gets very heated,” said the official, as both sides loudly protest and reject the other’s assertions.

The most recent incident was Friday morning, when a Russia aircraft flew repeatedly over the at-Tanf garrison in eastern Syria, where US forces are training Syrian allies and monitoring Islamic State militant activity. The official said the Russian An-30 aircraft was collecting intelligence on the base.
The US did not have fighter aircraft in the area and took no direct action against the Russian flight."

US Military Bases in Europe Heighten Security Amid Terror Threat Concern

A US official based in Europe told CNN that this threat level hasn't been seen in at least a decade, suggesting an “active-reliable threat” has been identified.
by Kyiv Post | July 1, 2024, 12:45 pm

US soldiers stand in front of military tanks at the United States Army military training base in Grafenwoehr, southern Germany, on July 13, 2022. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP)

Over the weekend, several US military bases in Europe raised their security alert to the second-highest level due to concerns about a potential terrorist attack or targeting of US personnel or facilities, as reported by CNN, citing two US officials.
According to the officials, the bases, including the US Army garrison in Stuttgart, Germany—home to US European Command—elevated their alert status to Force Protection Condition (FPCON) “Charlie” on Sunday.

This status indicates a probable threat of terrorist action against personnel or facilities, based on either an incident or received intelligence, according to US military officials.

The exact intelligence prompting the increased security remains unclear, but European authorities have warned of a potential terror threat, especially with the upcoming Paris Olympics in July and the ongoing European football championships in Germany.

Germany has deployed 580 international police officers alongside German officers to support security efforts. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that they are preparing for various dangers, from Islamist terror to violent criminals and hooligans.
France is currently on high alert for potential terrorist threats at the upcoming Olympics, scheduled to start in less than a month. Since March, France has raised its national security alert to the highest level, as confirmed by the US embassy in France.

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A US official based in Europe told CNN that this threat level hasn't been seen in at least a decade, suggesting an “active-reliable threat” has been identified.
Cdr. Dan Day, a spokesperson for US European Command, declined to comment on specific force protection levels.
However, he mentioned that USEUCOM [United States European Command] regularly assesses different factors to ensure the safety of the US military community abroad.