Collision between Russian fighter and US drone over Black Sea

A collision between a Russian fighter jet and a US Reaper drone over the Black Sea has been described as an "unsafe and unprofessional" intercept by US forces.

The incident has sparked concerns of a potential escalation in the conflict around Ukraine's Black Sea coast, where Russian and Nato aircraft and naval vessels frequently operate in close proximity.

On Tuesday, a Russian fighter jet collided with a US Reaper drone, causing it to crash into the Black Sea.

The incident occurred near the coast of Ukraine, where Russian and Nato forces have been conducting operations in close proximity.

The US military called the Russian's interception "unsafe and unprofessional", warning that an incident in which a crewed aircraft was destroyed or forced to land in hostile territory could have far more serious consequences.

According to The Guardian's Julian Borger, technological advancements have resulted in unmanned aerial vehicles operating in close proximity to manned aircraft, creating conditions that are ripe for conflict.

While the US and Russia have given different accounts of the incident, there is concern that events such as this may escalate the situation along the edges of the war.