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Russia and the US race to recover the reaper drone

Published

9 months ago

March 15, 2023

Russian pilots taunted the United States Tuesday, through acts of reckless aerial maneuvers which included, flybys in front of our MQ-9 Reaper drone, dumping gasoline on our drone and eventually downing the drone in the Black Sea.

The cost of the reaper comes in roughly at 32 million U.S. dollars. According to U.S. officials the reaper was conducting its routine flight schedule when the Russians intercepted it. Reports from the State Department said that the drone was flying over international water’s but Russian officials have claimed the contrary.

Russian officials have repudiated all responsibility for the downing of the reaper, Wednesday, and have announced that there are operations underway to salvage the debris of the drone.

John Kirby, the National security council coordinator for strategic communications, stated on CNN that the U.S. Military is in the process of “protecting our equities” and they do not want anyone else “getting their hands on the drone.”

According to reports from Fox News, Kirby said, “Without getting to too much detail, what I can say is that we’ve taken steps to protect our equities with respect to that particular drone, that particular aircraft and its United States property,” he continued “We obviously don’t want to see anybody getting their hands on it beyond us.”

The USAF (United States Air Force) issued a statement after the incident occurred Tuesday accusing the Russian aircraft of acting in a, “reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional manner.” Donald Trump Jr. commented on the statement on twitter saying, “Environmentally unsound. That’s what they’re worried about. Not the start of WWIII. Trump was right again!”

The US Air Force issued a statement accusing the Russian aircraft of acting in a “reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional manner.”

Environmentally unsound. That’s what they’re worried about. Not the start of WWIII.

Trump was right again!
https://t.co/LxJAP5JgbM

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 14, 2023

Could this be the potential start to WWIII?

Ukrainian officials believe that the downing of the drone is an attempt to escalate the United State’s involvement in the ongoing war.

National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said, “The incident with the American MQ-9 Reaper UAV — provoked by Russia over the Black Sea — is Putin’s way of signaling his readiness to expand the conflict to involve other parties,” he continued, “The purpose of this all-in tactic is to always be raising the stakes.”

We will continue to follow the story and keep you updated.

You can follow Alexander Carter on Twitter @AlexCarterDC

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Featured

Historic House Vote Expels Rep. George Santos Amidst Scandal

Published

3 days ago

December 1, 2023

Alexander Carter

In a turn of events, the House of Representatives made history on Friday with a vote to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), marking the first such expulsion in over two decades. A moment fraught with gravity unfolded as Speaker Mike Johnson wielded his gavel to formalize Santos’ removal, setting a precedent in congressional annals.

Santos, indicted on 23 counts related to wire fraud, identity theft, and other charges, has not faced conviction but stands accused of misusing campaign funds for opulent purchases. The bipartisan vote, tallying 311 to 114, signaled robust support for expulsion, with a marginally higher number of Republicans opting to retain Santos.

Questions loomed as Speaker Johnson left the chamber, his silence leaving the fate of the ongoing government spending battle uncertain. According to reports from Fox News, Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer emphasized the non-partisan nature of the decision, asserting that members concluded Santos had tarnished the House’s reputation and was unfit for representation.

Within the GOP, conflicting opinions emerged, with Rep. Darrell Issa arguing against expulsion, citing the presumption of innocence. The tight-lipped stance of the House Ethics Committee played a pivotal role in the deliberations.

Conversely, members of the New York Republican delegation, led by Rep. Marc Molinaro, asserted Santos’ commission of crimes, justifying expulsion based on a comprehensive investigation.

Santos himself predicted the outcome in an exclusive morning interview on “FOX & Friends.” This vote not only underlines the House’s rare use of expulsion powers but also sets a critical precedent in handling members facing severe legal challenges.