A Russian aircraft has collided with a US unmanned aircraft in international airspace over the Black Sea, causing it to crash.

Two Su-27 planes had attempted to intercept the US drone – named MQ-9 – by dumping fuel in front of it several times before the collision.

A statement from US European command described the Russian manoeuvres as reckless, unprofessional and environmentally unsound.

The drone was on a routine flight in accordance with international laws to bolster collective European defence and security, it said.

This is the latest in a series of dangerous Russian piloting, the statement said, which could lead to “unintended escalation”.