Ukrainian drone that crossed into Russia may have been spying - MP Bondarev
MOSCOW. Nov 13 (Interfax) - The crossing by a Ukrainian drone into Russian airspace is a provocation, the Chairman of the Federation Council Defense and Security Committee, Viktor Bondarev, said on Monday.
"The violation of the Russian airspace by a Ukrainian drone is obviously provocative," Bondarev's press service cited him as saying.
He was commenting on the recent incident in Russia's Bryansk region.
"Of course, espionage could be the real reason for penetrating Russian territory. This obvious theory is being actively scrutinized, as the aerial vehicle's high speed suggests the conclusion that Ukraine did not expect its rapid discovery," Bondarev said.
On the other hand, Russian radar stations are internationally known for their high sensitivity, and "the Ukrainians had to understand that we would trace it," he said.
The United States, which is trying to draw Russia "into the epicenter of the Ukrainian proxy war," may have a connection to this incident, Bondarev said.
"It is probable that this drone is sort of bait. The Americans widely used such methods in the Cold War era. I do not try to see 'the hand of the State Department' in everything that other countries do. However, this option cannot be ruled out when we're talking about countries dependent on the U.S.," he said.
"They are trying hard to draw Russia into the epicenter of the Ukrainian proxy war and make us a party to the conflict. Our response should be appropriate, and we should not jump the gun," Bondarev said.
An informed source told Interfax earlier that a Ukrainian drone was spotted in the Bryansk region on Sunday evening.