US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday that the US will βcontinue to fly and to operateβ in accordance with international law. His comment comes one day after Russian aircraft hit a US drone over the Black Sea and forced it to be brought down into international waters.
βThis hazardous episode is part of a pattern of aggressive and risky and unsafe actions in international airspace,β Austin said. βSo make no mistake, the United States will continue to fly and to operate wherever international law allows. And it is incumbent upon Russia to operate as military aircraft in a safe and professional manner.β