WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) in Syria face no threat from Russian aircraft that have been deployed in the country to fight Islamic State (ISIL) radicals, Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Col. Michelle Baldanza said.
"At no time did the [US-led anti-ISIL] Coalition [in Syria] feel our remotely piloted aircraft were threatened and we expect Russian pilots to act in a responsible, professional manner if they encounter any coalition aircraft. Coalition forces remain focused and committed to our mission to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL," Baldanza told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Fox News reported citing anonymous US officials that Russian fighter jets "shadowed" US predator drones on at least three separate occasions since the start of Russia’s air campaign against ISIL radicals in Syria.
A US-led international coalition has been targeting ISIL with airstrikes since September 2014, both in Syria and Iraq. Russia has criticized the coalition campaign for being carried out without the approval of the Syrian government or the UN Security Council.
The United States, which has been supporting the so-called "moderate" Syrian opposition and calling for Assad to step down, has accused Russia of targeting Assad’s opponents rather than ISIL positions in Syria. Russia has dismissed such allegations, stressing that they lack factual evidence.
"The Coalition continues to make clear to Russia that we are deeply concerned about any actions taken against moderate Syrian elements," Baldanza told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
Russia and the United States have agreed to create a communication channel between the countries’ military branches in order to avoid misunderstandings during anti-ISIL operations in Syria.
On Tuesday, the White House said that the United States and Russia will likely hold more military-to-military talks on activities in Syria in the near future.
