Russian ships have been sighted in the area of the downed U.S. MQ-9 “Reaper” drone that was downed after its propeller was clipped by a Russian Su-27 “Flanker” fighter jet. As one U.S. defense official stated, “They wasted no time.” However, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley said that the area in which the drone debris landed is 4,000-5,000 feet deep and speculated that any recovery of the debris would be difficult. National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby said, “What I can say is that we’ve taken steps to protect our equities with respect to that particular drone, that particular aircraft and its United States property.”
