Russian group 'intercepts' US drone over Crimea

[Rajendra91]

SOURCE: TOI

A United States surveillance drone has been intercepted above the Ukranian region of Crimea.
MOSCOW: A United States surveillance drone has been intercepted above the Ukranian region of Crimea, a Russian state arms and technology group said.
"The drone was flying at about 4,000 metres (12,000 feet) and was virtually invisible from the ground. It was possible to break the link with US operators with complex radio-electronic" technology, said Rostec in a statement.
The drone fell "almost intact into the hands of self-defence forces" added Rostec, which said it had manufactured the equipment used to down the aircraft, but did not specify who was operating it.
"Judging by its identification number, UAV MQ-5B belonged to the 66th American Reconnaissance Brigade, based in Bavaria," Rostec said on its website, which also carried a picture of what it said was the captured drone.
Crimea, where pro-Kremlin forces have control, is to hold a referendum on Sunday on the peninsula joining Russia, in what Moscow says is a fair expression of self identity but the West views as an illegal annexation of sovereign territory

 

[W.G.Ewald]

U.S. Denies Claims of Drones Intercepted Over Crimea - NBC News

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Moscow on Friday night claimed it had "intercepted" a US drone over Crimea. However, the statement, which was published by Rostec – the Russian state arms and technology group – was later removed from the organisation's website and the report was firmly denied by the Pentagon.

Russia and the West fail in last minute Ukraine talks - Telegraph

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Why would US use a drone as an imagery asset in Crimea and not rely on satellites?