By Jeff Zymeri
March 15, 2023 8:29 PM
In a joint press conference with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday, General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attempted to deescalate when asked if Russia’s downing of a U.S. drone was an act of war.
Both Austin and Milley committed to continue flying and operating wherever international law allows, calling upon Russian leaders to operate their military aircraft in a safe, professional, and nonaggressive manner.
The incident Tuesday involved a Russian Su-27 aircraft striking the propeller of a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, which U.S. officials said was on a routine mission in international airspace when two Russian jets attempted to intercept it. The unmanned drone was diverted into international waters and now is deep under the waters of the Black Sea.
“As far as an act of war, I’m not gonna go there. Incidents happen, and clearly we do not seek armed conflict with Russia, and I believe at this point we should investigate this incident and move on,” Milley said.
The general said he didn’t know yet if the contact of the Russian fighter with the American aircraft was intentional.
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https://www.nationalreview.com/news/incidents-happen-milley-wont-call-russias-downing-of-u-s-drone-an-act-of-war/