Tensions rose between the United States and Russia after a U.S. MQ-9 drone was forced down in international waters by a Russian Su-27 aircraft. Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that the drone was conducting an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission when it was intercepted. The Kremlin's forces were not able to retrieve the MQ-9 after the crash. Moscow has pinned the blame on the drone flying "provocatively" with its transponders off, alongside claiming that the Su-27's attempt to bring the drone down was justified for this reason and accused Washington of deploying drones to assist Ukraine.

Prominent Republicans have harshly criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for suggesting the war in Ukraine was a "territorial dispute". The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has shown no signs of letting up, with regular positional battles occurring in