Yesterday, March 4, it was confirmed that a Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jet from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) dangerously intercepted an MQ-9 Reaper drone belonging to the French Air and Space Force over the Eastern Mediterranean. The incident was reported by France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, via the social network X, where he shared a video recording captured from the U.S.-made unmanned aerial vehicle.
The French official stated on the platform: “On Sunday, a Russian Su-35 fighter exhibited dangerous behavior toward a French Reaper drone that was conducting a surveillance mission in international airspace over the eastern Mediterranean.”
He further added that the aircraft “…made three successive passes at very close range, which could have led to the loss of control of the drone, demonstrating an intent to restrict free aerial movement in shared airspace.”
As seen in the video footage captured from the French MQ-9, the Su-35 made a close approach to the unmanned aircraft, presumably attempting to disrupt its flight path. Similar maneuvers by Russian Aerospace Forces fighter jets against drones of the same type have been recorded in recent years, the most notable being in March 2023 over the Black Sea.
On that occasion, the United States European Command (USEUCOM) released a video sequence showing Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercepting a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance drone. During those maneuvers, the VKS combat aircraft performed close passes while dumping fuel onto the UAV, and in one instance, collided with the drone’s propeller system.
Returning to the incident reported by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, unlike the previously described case, the officially released video does not show similar maneuvers or a collision between the two aircraft. However, this does not diminish the severity of the event, which Lecornu described as “…a deliberate, unprofessional, and aggressive action that is unacceptable” on the part of the Russian pilot.
The incident recorded yesterday adds to other recent episodes involving aircraft from both the French and Russian Armed Forces, in both the Mediterranean and the Baltic regions. Among them, a particularly notable case occurred in mid-January when French authorities reported that a French Navy ATL-2 patrol aircraft was targeted by a Russian S-400 air defense system while on a patrol flight over the Baltic Sea.
Later, in February, it was confirmed that Rafale fighter jets from the French Air and Space Force, as part of NATO Air Policing Missions, intercepted an IL-20M Coot-A signals intelligence aircraft of the VKS.
The series of incidents involving Russian and French aerospace assets is part of a broader geopolitical context of tensions. The most significant factor remains the ongoing war in Ukraine, which still shows no clear resolution despite official statements. In the Eastern Mediterranean, another key element is the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, which has created uncertainty regarding the continued presence of Russian Armed Forces in the region. These forces maintain their operations through the Tartus naval base and the Khmeimim Air Base.
This latest episode could indicate that the Russian Armed Forces still maintain a significant presence in Syria while negotiations between the Kremlin and the new Syrian authorities are underway to determine the future of these installations. As drone imagery from mid-December showed, the Russian Aerospace Forces continue to maintain a significant contingent of combat aircraft at Khmeimim Air Base. The images revealed at least four Su-34 fighter-bombers, seven Su-24s, and four Su-30SM2s.
Additionally, the footage also identified key air defense systems, such as the S-400, as well as positions used by short-range Pantsir air defense systems. Notably, a Kasta 2 low-altitude air surveillance radar was also present.
Although no further details were provided regarding the purpose of the French Air and Space Force’s MQ-9 Reaper drone flight, it is likely that the UAV’s mission focused on surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance activities in the region. The French Armed Forces did not specify whether the drone was monitoring activity at Khmeimim Air Base, which could have prompted the Russian response with the deployment of the Su-35 fighter jet.
Cover photo used for illustrative purposes.
