Russian fighter jets have intercepted U.S. MQ-1 Predator drones, not once, but twice while flying over Islamic State-controlled parts of Syria. The drones are not stealthy aircraft, as an official said that it "is easy to see a predator on radar," reported The Blaze.
Russia hasn't tried to shoot down the drones so far, but the country has been performing intercept tracks, which is flying close enough, to make their presence known. They were close to the headquarters in Ragga in one instance, and the second time they were near Korbani, which is close to the Turkish-Syrian border.
"The first time it happened, we thought the Russians got lucky. Then it happened two more times," said one official, according to Fox News. Moscow began their air strike military campaign last week.
The Russian military has begun to design a "protective belt" by sending Mi-24 gunships and helicopters to their air base in the Mediterrean and another one about 100 miles away outside of Homs. They have even put their BM-30 Smerch rocket launchers and warheads into positions for striking, though this hasn't been fully verified yet.
Since these movements have been made, Peter Cook, the Pentagon Press Secretary, has made it known that the Pentagon would like to have a meeting for military-to-military talks with Russia. The protective belt has been essentially placed around Latakia, where Bashar Assad, the Syrian President, is currently residing. The Pentagon is holding their position with 30 fighter/bomber jets at the Bassel al-Assad airport located in Latakia. The CIA and Latakia are using an air-strike advantage against the anti-Assad rebels, according to The Washington Times.
Meanwhile, Turkey has said that Russia has actually violated their airspace in Turkey's Hatay Province, but NATO and the U.S. are holding firm, saying that Turkey was being unprofessional and provoking. "The Russians flew along the border and we still don't know for sure what happened," said one official.
