A Russian fighter jet flew “dangerously close” to a US drone over Syria and damaged it with flares, according to the US Air Force, in the latest in a series of incidents between the two militaries in the Middle East, APA reports citing CNN.

On Sunday, Russian jets closed to within a few meters of a US MQ-9 Reaper drone that was taking part in an anti-ISIS mission over Syria. One of the jets began dropping flares in front of the US drone, severely damaging its propellor, the Air Force said. The drone’s crew was able to control the aircraft and fly it back to its home base.

“The Russian fighter’s blatant disregard for flight safety detracts from our mission to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS,” said the commander of Air Force Central Command, Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich.

Video of the encounter from the US drone shows a Russian fighter jet drawing closer as it approaches from behind. The video then shows the jet dropping flares near the drone.

In a similar encounter over the Black Sea in March, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet struck the same type of US drone, damaging its propellor and forcing it down in the water.

Encounters between Russian fighter jets and US drones operating over Syria have become increasingly common. The two militaries both operate in the country, but for different purposes: the US military is part of the ongoing campaign to defeat ISIS, while the Russian military supports Syria’s Assad regime.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency