MOSCOW, Mar 15 Washington is trying to prevent a US drone that crashed over the Black Sea from falling into the wrong hands, White House strategic communications coordinator John Kirby told CNN.
«The US has taken steps to protect our property in regards to this particular drone. Obviously we don't want anyone but us to get it,» the official said.
The White House spokesman declined to give details of any action taken in the case.
Before that, John Kirby said that US President Joe Biden was informed about the incident near Crimea.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that on the morning of March 14, an American MQ-9 drone with transponders turned off violated the borders of the region temporary regime for the use of airspace over the Black Sea. According to the agency, the drone was moving towards the Russian border in Crimea, Russian fighter jets were lifted into the air to identify the intruder. Due to abrupt maneuvering, the drone went into uncontrolled flight with a loss of altitude and fell into the water. Russian fighters did not come into contact with the MQ-9, did not use airborne weapons and returned safely to their home airfield, the Ministry of Defense stressed.