In a concerning series of events, US Lieutenant General Alex Grynkewich has reported twice within a 24-hour period that Russian jets engaged in maneuvers that endangered US operations and posed a risk to equipment. Likewise, the French General Staff revealed that a pair of Russian jets harassed French fighters near the Syrian-Iraqi border, resulting in French pilots having to perform evasive maneuvers due to the unprofessional nature of the interaction.
While conducting anti-ISIS operations in Syria, American MQ-9 Reaper drones experienced harassment from Russian aircraft, which flew in close proximity to the drones. These actions created dangerous situations by launching flares in the drones’ flight path and firing afterburners in front of the US aircraft. According to the French Ministry of Defense, a Russian Su-35 posed a threat to “two Rafales on a protection mission on the Iraqi-Syrian border,” putting the French pilots at risk of an accident.
These incidents highlight a concerning escalation of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, as stated by Grynkewich. Such behavior not only jeopardizes the safety of US and French forces but also that of the Russian forces themselves.
The General urged Russian forces in Syria to immediately cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of conduct expected of a professional air force. Only through such compliance can the focus shift back to the critical mission of defeating ISIS.
