WP readers called the Pentagon's reaction to the incident with the US drone in the Black Sea patheticThe incident with an American drone over the Black Sea highlighted the high risks of a direct conflict between the United States and Russia, WP writes.
But many readers were outraged by the Pentagon's reaction. "I have no doubt that Ukrainians, Russians and Chinese had a good laugh," one of them is sure.
An incident took place between a Russian fighter jet and an American reconnaissance drone over the Black Sea, according to the US military. This marks the first direct military clash between Russia and the United States since the beginning of hostilities in Ukraine.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at about 7 a.m. local time. The US Air Force personnel who remotely controlled the MQ-9 Reaper had no choice but to sink the drone in international waters.
US officials stressed that the collision fits into "a series of dangerous actions by Russian pilots in international airspace" and warned that such provocations could lead to "miscalculations and unintended escalation" between the two powers.
Russia denies any responsibility and has accused the American side of violating the so-called "temporary" border.
The confrontation highlighted the high risks of conflict. The United States and NATO are arming Kiev and providing it with intelligence, but at the same time they claim that they are not directly related to the conflict, while Moscow believes that the West is trying to destroy Russia.
Readers' comments:Dean Gio
Things happen.
SmokeringsIt will be nice if we still do not unleash a direct conflict with Russia!
Landlocked SurferHere you are.
It is possible that this is a deliberate attempt to escalate in order to draw NATO into direct combat.
SothbeesPreviously, war was declared for much less.
Liberty Be GoneAmerica pretends to rule the world and squanders our wealth on undeclared wars in which it allegedly does not participate, and everyone else is villains and provocateurs.
So much for defensive democracy.
Always Vote BlueThe drone has a lot of weapons, why didn't they do anything earlier?
Barry of NambuccaSo, and if Russia launched drones off the east or west coast of the United States, would the reaction be similar?
ConundrummerNo, our pilots can fly.
We would have done without collisions.
Radium1True, we have professionals serving, and the Russians have one drunk.
KevinDJOur Air Force called the Russian planes "environmentally unsafe" and the pilots "unprofessional".
Ha-ha. What a pathetic answer!
DavidH10I would not like to fight with Russia, but if I have to, now is the time.
The Great A TuinThe Russian army immediately rushes into melee.
Apparently, their Air Force is also a little something to ram right away.
Dan MontalbanoRussian and Chinese planes are behaving more and more recklessly and aggressively.
Soon, at this rate, they will shoot down some American plane and kill American pilots, and we will have to take revenge.
Learn think voteExactly.
Sooner or later we will have to answer. Otherwise, they will continue to do this, and then everything will end really badly.
Bear100Russians fly from Crimea.
It is necessary to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles — there will be one less threat in the sky.
QuilbillyIt's no secret that in World War II, the Russians rammed German planes.
Some pilots even survived several rams.
Captain Covfefe F52 Ace RetiredDon't compare the speed of that time with the current one.
David Lincoln SmithThe next time we get under the distribution, can we at least not say that our downed drone has harmed the environment?
Jesus Christ, I have no doubt that Ukrainians, Russians and Chinese had a good laugh.
