With reference to the recent incident over the Black Sea, which of the following statements is correct?

Question

1. The U.S. drone was intercepted by Russian fighter jets in international airspace.
2. The Russian fighter jets scrambled after the U.S. drone violated its temporary airspace off the Crimean peninsula.
3. The U.S. has a naval presence in the Black Sea.
4. The U.S. and Russia do not have a hotline to avoid mid-air collisions.

 

(a) Statement 1

(b) Statement 2

(c) Both statements 1 and 2

(d) None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (c) Both statements 1 and 2

 

Explanation: The Pentagon says that the Russian Su-27s intercepted the surveillance drone in international airspace, while the Russian Defence Ministry claims its jets were scrambled after a U.S. drone violated its "temporary airspace" off the Crimean peninsula. Therefore, both statements 1 and 2 are correct. The U.S. does not have a naval presence in the Black Sea, and the article states that the U.S. and Russia already have a deconfliction hotline to avoid mid-air collisions in different theatres where they operate, including Ukraine.