Sergey Shoigu presented the Su-27 pilots for the awards after the incident with the American UAV

"The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergei Shoigu, presented the pilots of the Su-27 aircraft who prevented the violation by the American unmanned aerial vehicle MQ-9 of the boundaries of the area of the temporary regime for the use of airspace established for the purpose of conducting a special military operation with state awards", - is stated in the message on the Telegram channel of the Russian Defense Ministry.

It is noted that the relevant borders have been brought to the attention of all users of international airspace in accordance with international standards.

The department recalled that the incident occurred on the morning of March 14. It is alleged that the American drone was moving towards the Russian border with remote transponders. The flight was carried out in violation of the boundaries of the area of the temporary regime for the use of airspace established as part of the special operation.

"As a result of sharp maneuvering around 9.30 (Moscow time), the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle went into an uncontrolled flight with a loss of altitude and collided with the water surface", - they stressed.

Fighters were flown into the air to identify the intruder. According to the statement of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, combat aircraft did not use airborne weapons and did not come into contact with the drone.