According to a recent report by Air & Space Forces Magazine, a Russian surface-to-air missile narrowly missed striking an MQ-9 Reaper drone operated by the United States in Syria in November. The missile detonated within just 40 feet of the drone, causing significant damage.
The U.S. had previously acknowledged the launch of a Russian SA-22 Pantsir surface-to-air missile against the drone but did not disclose the extent of the damage or how close the missile came to hitting the aircraft.
The MQ-9 Reaper drone was able to safely return to base despite the damage sustained in the attack. The missile's warhead exploded in close proximity to the drone, making it the only publicly known instance of a Russian surface-to-air missile firing at a U.S. aircraft over Syria.
American officials have confirmed that there have been no other similar missile firings at an MQ-9 over the country since then.
U.S. officials who spoke to Air & Space Forces Magazine anonymously revealed that the missile came perilously close to hitting the drone, missing by only a few dozen feet. The MQ-9 itself is 36 feet long with a span of 66 feet.
The Pentagon has deferred all inquiries about the incident to U.S. Central Command, which declined to comment on the new details provided in the Air & Space Forces Magazine report.
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