CNN —A Russian surveillance aircraft flew above a US base in Syria for an “extended period of time” on Friday morning in what officials deemed an intelligence collecting mission, a senior defense official said.
The official said there was a “lot of protest over the deconfliction line” established with Russia in Syria, which Russia brushed off.
Despite the increased aggression from Russian aircraft, the official said there is no apparent willingness to get into an escalation with American forces, nor is there an American desire to engage Russian forces.
There has, though, been a “qualitative difference” in Russian military flights in Syria and how they interact with US aircraft, the official said.
The growing stability of the Syrian regime may also contribute to the willingness to interact with American aircraft.
Persons:
Antonov, would’ve, ”, “ We’re, they’re, “
Organizations:
CNN, Al, Force, US, Kremlin, American, US Navy
Locations:
Russian, Syria, Tanf, Iraq, Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Gulf of Oman, Iran, Hormuz, Iranian