The U.S. Department of Defense has said that Russian fighter jets confronted US drones operating in Syria targeting the remaining hideouts of Islamic State for the second time in two days this week.
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said that on Wednesday, Russian SU-35 fighter aircraft harassed three U.S. MQ-9 drones conducting a mission against ISIS targets.
During the interaction, the Russian pilots dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the drones, forcing the U.S. aircraft to conduct evasive maneuvers. One Russian pilot also engaged their aircraft's afterburner while positioned in front one of the MQ-9s, reducing the U.S. operator's ability to safely operate the drone.
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May 22, 2026 14:46 ET Minutes of the latest Fed policy session was the highlight of the week along with survey data on the U.S. housing market. In Europe, survey data signaled the trends in the euro area private sector. Further, consumer price inflation data from the U.K. was in focus. In Asia, various economic indicators from China drew attention to the health of the economy.