A French Reaper drone was intimidated by a Russian Su-35 fighter jet, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said, quoted by "Reuters".
The drone was carrying out a surveillance mission in international airspace over the Eastern Mediterranean.
The incident comes as European countries try to increase defense spending and boost support for Ukraine in its war against invading Russian forces amid growing doubts about the Donald Trump administration's commitment to defending Europe.
The Russian plane made three consecutive close passes, which "could "to lead to loss of control of the drone, reflecting the desire to restrict the free movement of air in the common areas," Lecornu wrote on the social network X.
He stressed that this was a "deliberate, unprofessional and aggressive action, which is unacceptable".
On Sunday, a Russian SU-35 fighter jet adopted a dangerous behavior towards a French Reaper drone, on a surveillance mission in international airspace above the eastern Mediterranean.
Three successive passes à great proximity, which could have… pic.twitter.com/sAmMBNNjyU— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) March 4, 2025
"France will continue to act to protect freedom of navigation in international air and sea spaces", the minister assured.
Lecornu did not specify exactly where the incident took place in the Eastern Mediterranean.