France Condemns Russian Jet's Dangerous Maneuvers Near French Drone Over Mediterranean

A Russian SU-35 fighter jet made close passes near a French Reaper drone in international airspace, prompting Paris to denounce the act as aggressive and unacceptable.

On March 2, a Russian SU-35 fighter jet made three successive close passes near a French Reaper surveillance drone in international airspace over the eastern Mediterranean.
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu described the incident as an intentional, non-professional, and aggressive action aimed at restricting free navigation in shared airspace.
The French government released video evidence of the incident, showing the Russian jet's proximity to the drone, which could have caused the drone to lose control.
The event occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations, with shifting U.S. military support for Ukraine and European efforts to bolster defense capabilities.
France reaffirmed its commitment to upholding freedom of navigation in international air and maritime spaces, calling the Russian maneuvers unacceptable.