West Asia remained on an edge as U.S. conducted strikes on Iran for the ninth consecutive evening. Iran retaliated with attacks on Kuwait, Jordan, Syria and Bahrain. Even as fighting continued, both U.S. and Iran have expressed willingness for a diplomatic solution. As per reports, mediators have suggested a 10-day pause in hostilities to revive the MoU.


Houthis impose naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, Iran shoots down US Mq-9 drone

<p>A day after the US State Department pledged the sale of the&nbsp;MQ-9B to India boosting its maritime security through its advanced capabilities, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has also cleared&nbsp;the deal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>US Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland and the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated "his approval of the sale of MQ-9 drones to India."</p>

<p>However, the deal still requires ratification by the US Congress to be fully approved for sale to India. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Thursday (Feb 1) delivered the required certification notifying US Congress of the sale of 31 of these Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).&nbsp;The deal involving MQ-9B drones comes at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion.<br />
<br />
"The US-India partnership plays a key role in Indo-Pacific stability, including through regional mechanisms such as the Quad. I support deepening our bilateral relationship with India as long as that partnership is based on mutual trust and respect," Cardin said in the statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/red-sea-indian-navy-bolsters-presence-with-deployments-off-djibouti-gulf-of-aden-and-east-coast-of-somalia-686574">Red Sea: Indian Navy bolsters presence with deployments off Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, and East Coast of Somalia</a></p>

<p>Earlier, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, after DSCA notified Congress of the sale, reportedly said,&nbsp;"This was the initial step today, notifying Congress. The exact timeline of the delivery is something that we will explore with the government of India over the coming months."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, in the notification, DSCA said,&nbsp;"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-maldives-agree-to-phased-replacement-of-military-personnel-from-island-686513">India, Maldives agree to phased replacement of military personnel from island</a></p>

<p>The procurement of these drones by India comes as the country is looking to enhance its maritime security. This also comes at a crucial juncture as&nbsp;recent attacks on Red Sea shipping by Houthi rebels have raised concerns globally and exposed the vulnerability of maritime trade routes to&nbsp;threats.</p>

<section>
<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/maldives-india-ties-nose-dive-inside-south-asia-686566">Maldives-India ties Nose Dive | Inside South Asia</a></strong></p>

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<p>These types of attacks can disrupt the free flow of commerce through acts of piracy and attacks on vessels. In response to these challenges, India has not only expressed its concern but has also reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to address the evolving security situation in the maritime domain. Therefore, the sale of these drones to India will be a crucial step towards ensuring India's maritime security.&nbsp;</p>
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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A day after the US State Department pledged the sale of the MQ-9B to India boosting its maritime security through its advanced capabilities, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has also cleared the deal.

A day after the US State Department pledged the sale of the MQ-9B to India boosting its maritime security through its advanced capabilities, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has also cleared the deal. US Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland and the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated "his approval of the sale of MQ-9 drones to India." However, the deal still requires ratification by the US Congress to be fully approved for sale to India. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Thursday (Feb 1) delivered the required certification notifying US Congress of the sale of 31 of these Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The deal involving MQ-9B drones comes at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. "The US-India partnership plays a key role in Indo-Pacific stability, including through regional mechanisms such as the Quad. I support deepening our bilateral relationship with India as long as that partnership is based on mutual trust and respect," Cardin said in the statement. Also Read | Red Sea: Indian Navy bolsters presence with deployments off Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, and East Coast of Somalia Earlier, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, after DSCA notified Congress of the sale, reportedly said, "This was the initial step today, notifying Congress. The exact timeline of the delivery is something that we will explore with the government of India over the coming months." Notably, in the notification, DSCA said, "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region." Also Read | India, Maldives agree to phased replacement of military personnel from island The procurement of these drones by India comes as the country is looking to enhance its maritime security. This also comes at a crucial juncture as recent attacks on Red Sea shipping by Houthi rebels have raised concerns globally and exposed the vulnerability of maritime trade routes to threats. Watch | Maldives-India ties Nose Dive | Inside South Asia × These types of attacks can disrupt the free flow of commerce through acts of piracy and attacks on vessels. In response to these challenges, India has not only expressed its concern but has also reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to address the evolving security situation in the maritime domain. Therefore, the sale of these drones to India will be a crucial step towards ensuring India's maritime security. (With inputs from agencies)

Sale of MQ-9 drones to India cleared by US Senate Foreign Relations Committee

<p>Russia claims to have intercepted a United States drone over the Black Sea, on Saturday (August 5). Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a Russian missile hit a facility of the Ukraine-based aeronautics group.</p>

<h2><strong>Russia's claims on US drone</strong></h2>

<p>The Russian defence ministry, in a statement, said that it scrambled a Su-30 fighter jet to “prevent a violation of the Russian state border” after a US Reaper MQ-9 military drone was detected over the Black Sea.</p>

<p>“As the Russian fighter approached, the foreign reconnaissance drone performed a U-turn away from the border,” said the Russian officials. The ministry also claimed that the drone belonged to the US Air Force.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added, “The Russian aircraft returned safely to its airbase, there was no violation of the border.” This comes as reports about incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have multiplied over the Black Sea and Baltic Sea in recent months.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Ukraine drone strike</strong></h2>

<p>Both Russia and Ukraine reported that a Ukrainian sea drone laden with explosives struck a Russian fuel tanker overnight, on Saturday, near the Crimean bridge, in the second such attack in 24 hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bridge, in question, links Russia to Crimea, which Moscow seized from Ukraine in 2014. A Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters that the drone with 450kg of explosives hit the SIG vessel as it transported fuel for the Russian military in Ukrainian territorial waters.</p>

<p>“The tanker was well loaded with fuel, so the ‘fireworks’ were seen from afar,” said the report by Reuters citing an intelligence source.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kyiv is in the midst of its long-awaited counteroffensive against Moscow to recapture its territory and has been destroying Russia’s military infrastructure inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, as per reports.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Russian missile strike hits Ukraine aeronautics firm</strong></h2>

<p>Zelensky, on Saturday (August 5), said that a Russian missile hit a facility of the Ukrainian aeronautics group Motor Sich, one of the companies requisitioned by the government since the beginning of Moscow’s invasion back in February 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Today, there was another Russian missile attack against our country. Kinzhals, Calibers. They hit Motor Sich,” said Zelensky, during his evening address. The facility is located near Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine around 300 kilometres southwest of Kyiv.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Ukrainian president, the strike included Russia’s hypersonic Kinzhal weapons, adding that “some of the missiles were shot down.” The Khmelnytskyi region which is hundreds of kilometres from the front lines is also home to a major Ukrainian airbase and is regularly targeted by Russian strikes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, Motor Sich makes plane and helicopter engines and other components and was taken over by the government in Kyiv as a part of its “strategic” firms taken over by Ukraine’s defence ministry last November.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos</strong></em></p>

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Russia claims to have intercepted a United States drone over the Black Sea, on Saturday (August 5). Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a Russian missile hit a facility of the Ukraine-based aeronautics group.

Russia claims to have intercepted a United States drone over the Black Sea, on Saturday (August 5). Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a Russian missile hit a facility of the Ukraine-based aeronautics group. Russia's claims on US drone The Russian defence ministry, in a statement, said that it scrambled a Su-30 fighter jet to “prevent a violation of the Russian state border” after a US Reaper MQ-9 military drone was detected over the Black Sea. “As the Russian fighter approached, the foreign reconnaissance drone performed a U-turn away from the border,” said the Russian officials. The ministry also claimed that the drone belonged to the US Air Force. It added, “The Russian aircraft returned safely to its airbase, there was no violation of the border.” This comes as reports about incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have multiplied over the Black Sea and Baltic Sea in recent months. Ukraine drone strike Both Russia and Ukraine reported that a Ukrainian sea drone laden with explosives struck a Russian fuel tanker overnight, on Saturday, near the Crimean bridge, in the second such attack in 24 hours. The bridge, in question, links Russia to Crimea, which Moscow seized from Ukraine in 2014. A Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters that the drone with 450kg of explosives hit the SIG vessel as it transported fuel for the Russian military in Ukrainian territorial waters. “The tanker was well loaded with fuel, so the ‘fireworks’ were seen from afar,” said the report by Reuters citing an intelligence source. Kyiv is in the midst of its long-awaited counteroffensive against Moscow to recapture its territory and has been destroying Russia’s military infrastructure inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, as per reports. Russian missile strike hits Ukraine aeronautics firm Zelensky, on Saturday (August 5), said that a Russian missile hit a facility of the Ukrainian aeronautics group Motor Sich, one of the companies requisitioned by the government since the beginning of Moscow’s invasion back in February 2022. “Today, there was another Russian missile attack against our country. Kinzhals, Calibers. They hit Motor Sich,” said Zelensky, during his evening address. The facility is located near Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine around 300 kilometres southwest of Kyiv. According to the Ukrainian president, the strike included Russia’s hypersonic Kinzhal weapons, adding that “some of the missiles were shot down.” The Khmelnytskyi region which is hundreds of kilometres from the front lines is also home to a major Ukrainian airbase and is regularly targeted by Russian strikes. Notably, Motor Sich makes plane and helicopter engines and other components and was taken over by the government in Kyiv as a part of its “strategic” firms taken over by Ukraine’s defence ministry last November. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia claims to have intercepted US drone over Black Sea

<p>Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, on Friday (March 17) awarded the two pilots who were involved in intercepting a United States MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea amid Moscow’s ongoing “special military operation” in Ukraine. This comes after the US has previously accused Russia of an “unsafe” and “unprofessional” intercept of its MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drone which eventually crashed in the Black Sea on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Russian military has said that they scrambled the air defence unit jets after detecting the US drone but has denied causing the crash and said that the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had lost control, a claim the US disputed. While repeating its version of the events, the Russian ministry announced the awards on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“As a result of sharp manoeuvring around 9:30 am (Moscow time), the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle went into uncontrolled flight with a loss of altitude and collided with the water surface,” said the Russian military in a statement, as per Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The defence minister Shoigu presented the awards to the two Su-27 pilots for “preventing” the US drone from “violating” international airspace restrictions placed by Moscow amid what it describes as its “special military operation” in Ukraine, reported The Moscow Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement added, “The drone flew with its transponders off, violating the boundaries of the area of the temporary airspace usage regime established for the special military operation (and) communicated to all users of international airspace.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US military, which also released a 42-second video on Thursday of the incident said that the drone was on a routine mission when it was intercepted over the Black Sea in international airspace. It also alleged that the fighter jets dumped fuel on the drone during the encounter that lasted 30-40 minutes before one of MQ-9 Reaper drone’s&nbsp;propellers got damaged and it crashed into the sea.&nbsp;<br />
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<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, on Friday (March 17) awarded the two pilots who were involved in intercepting a United States MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea amid Moscow’s ongoing “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, on Friday (March 17) awarded the two pilots who were involved in intercepting a United States MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea amid Moscow’s ongoing “special military operation” in Ukraine. This comes after the US has previously accused Russia of an “unsafe” and “unprofessional” intercept of its MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drone which eventually crashed in the Black Sea on Tuesday. The Russian military has said that they scrambled the air defence unit jets after detecting the US drone but has denied causing the crash and said that the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had lost control, a claim the US disputed. While repeating its version of the events, the Russian ministry announced the awards on Friday. “As a result of sharp manoeuvring around 9:30 am (Moscow time), the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle went into uncontrolled flight with a loss of altitude and collided with the water surface,” said the Russian military in a statement, as per Reuters. The defence minister Shoigu presented the awards to the two Su-27 pilots for “preventing” the US drone from “violating” international airspace restrictions placed by Moscow amid what it describes as its “special military operation” in Ukraine, reported The Moscow Times. The statement added, “The drone flew with its transponders off, violating the boundaries of the area of the temporary airspace usage regime established for the special military operation (and) communicated to all users of international airspace.” The US military, which also released a 42-second video on Thursday of the incident said that the drone was on a routine mission when it was intercepted over the Black Sea in international airspace. It also alleged that the fighter jets dumped fuel on the drone during the encounter that lasted 30-40 minutes before one of MQ-9 Reaper drone’s propellers got damaged and it crashed into the sea. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian defence minister honours pilots involved in downing of US drone over Black Sea

The U.S. military said a Russian fighter aircraft clipped the propeller of one of its spy drones and made it crash into the black sea. the incident marked the first such direct encounter between the two world powers since Russia invaded Ukraine over a year ago. The United States' European command said two Russian SU-27 fighters intercepted the unmanned MQ-9 Reaper drone.

'Reckless': U.S. blames Russia for drone crash, says Su-27 jets dumped fuel on MQ-9 Reaper | Details

<p>The United States military claimed on Tuesday (March 14) that a Russian jet collided with an American drone over the Black Sea. Divulging details, the US military's European Command said that a Russian Su-27 jet fighter collided with an American MQ-9 Reaper drone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>US Air Force General James Hecker, the commander of US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, said: "Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hecker further said that "this incident demonstrates a lack of competence in addition to being unsafe and unprofessional".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement mentioned that the incident happened at approximately 7:03am (CET). It also noted that several times before the collision, the Su-27s dumped fuel on the drone and flew in front of it. The US Air Force called the incident "reckless" and "environmentally unsound".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-defends-ukraine-war-says-its-about-survival-of-russian-statehood-572027">Putin defends Ukraine war, claims it’s about ‘survival’ of Russian statehood</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>CNN quoted a US official familiar with the incident as saying that the Russian fighter jet damaged the propeller of the American drone. The official, whose identity was not revealed in the report, said that the Reaper drone and two SU-27 Flanker jets were operating over international waters over the Black Sea when the incident occurred. One of the Russian jets "intentionally" flew in front of and dumped fuel in front of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).&nbsp;</p>

<p>While responding to the incident, the National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists that the Russian intercepts in the area are common, but this one "is noteworthy because of how unsafe and unprofessional it was, indeed reckless that it was".&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>US&nbsp;summons&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;envoy&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In the immediate aftermath, The US summoned Russia's ambassador to protest the crash, the State Department said. Spokesman Ned Price told reporters: "We are engaging directly with the Russians, again at senior levels, to convey our strong objections to this unsafe, unprofessional intercept, which caused the downing of the unmanned US aircraft."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine becomes testing ground for new-age Russian weapons</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Russia denies causing crash</strong></h2>

<p>Russia's defence ministry denied causing the crash as it said that it scrambled fighter jets following the detection of a US drone over the Black Sea.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As a result of a sharp manoeuvre... the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle entered an uncontrolled flight with loss of altitude and collided with the surface of the water," the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ministry added that its fighter jets "did not use their on-board weapons, made no contact with the UAV".&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

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The United States military claimed on Tuesday (March 14) that a Russian jet collided with an American drone over the Black Sea. Divulging details, the US military's European Command said that a Russian Su-27 jet fighter collided with an American MQ-9 Reaper drone.

The United States military claimed on Tuesday (March 14) that a Russian jet collided with an American drone over the Black Sea. Divulging details, the US military's European Command said that a Russian Su-27 jet fighter collided with an American MQ-9 Reaper drone. US Air Force General James Hecker, the commander of US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, said: "Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9". Hecker further said that "this incident demonstrates a lack of competence in addition to being unsafe and unprofessional". The statement mentioned that the incident happened at approximately 7:03am (CET). It also noted that several times before the collision, the Su-27s dumped fuel on the drone and flew in front of it. The US Air Force called the incident "reckless" and "environmentally unsound". ALSO READ | Putin defends Ukraine war, claims it’s about ‘survival’ of Russian statehood CNN quoted a US official familiar with the incident as saying that the Russian fighter jet damaged the propeller of the American drone. The official, whose identity was not revealed in the report, said that the Reaper drone and two SU-27 Flanker jets were operating over international waters over the Black Sea when the incident occurred. One of the Russian jets "intentionally" flew in front of and dumped fuel in front of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). While responding to the incident, the National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists that the Russian intercepts in the area are common, but this one "is noteworthy because of how unsafe and unprofessional it was, indeed reckless that it was". US summons Russian envoy In the immediate aftermath, The US summoned Russia's ambassador to protest the crash, the State Department said. Spokesman Ned Price told reporters: "We are engaging directly with the Russians, again at senior levels, to convey our strong objections to this unsafe, unprofessional intercept, which caused the downing of the unmanned US aircraft." WATCH | Gravitas: Ukraine becomes testing ground for new-age Russian weapons × Russia denies causing crash Russia's defence ministry denied causing the crash as it said that it scrambled fighter jets following the detection of a US drone over the Black Sea. "As a result of a sharp manoeuvre... the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle entered an uncontrolled flight with loss of altitude and collided with the surface of the water," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry added that its fighter jets "did not use their on-board weapons, made no contact with the UAV". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian fighter jet hits US drone over Black Sea; US calls it 'reckless'

India-China standoff: How US drones along LAC can tilt the balance in India's favour against China

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