Russia to award pilots involved in US drone incident

The move appears to signal Moscow’s intention to adopt a more aggressive stance toward future US surveillance flights.

A Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 drone and beginning to release fuel (US Department of Defence/AP)

By Associated Press Reporters

Russian fighter pilots involved in an incident with a US drone which resulted in its crash will be given state awards, the defence ministry has announced.

The move appears to signal Moscow’s intention to adopt a more aggressive stance toward future US surveillance flights.