MOSCOW. July 28 (Interfax) - U.S. military aircraft have increased their reconnaissance activities near the Russian border over the Black Sea; this will in no way be left unreciprocated, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Hero of Russia Andrei Krasov told Interfax on Monday.
"We state U.S. reconnaissance aircraft's flights over the Black Sea became more frequent. These are frequently reconnaissance flights, and frequently provocative ones," Krasov said in comments on Russia's Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet's scrambling to 'intercept' a U.S. Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea on Monday.
"I would like to note that the U.S. is situated very far from the Black Sea basin. Thus, the question is arising: what is an American reconnaissance plane doing so far from its borders?" Krasov said.
"We are developing the infrastructure of not only the Navy, but also the whole infrastructure of the troops, which are stationed in Crimea. Perhaps, our American colleagues will be quite interested to learn how the Russian Armed Forces are developing in the Black Sea region," Krasov said.
"The actions of American reconnaissance aircraft will in no way be left unanswered. Russian pilots are acting professionally. American planes change their route and fly away from the Russian border," the first deputy head of the State Duma Defense Committee said.