Germany and France says it appears Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine downed a drone being used by neutral European observers and are demanding accountability.
Germany and France say it appears that Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine downed a drone being used by neutral European observers and are demanding accountability.
In a joint statement, they said Thursday the downing is a « clear violation » of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, which is to have unimpeded access.
The drone disappeared Oct. 27 while following a convoy of seven trucks in Ukraine near the Russian border.
They say evidence collected suggests « Russia and the separatists it backs bear responsibly for the targeting of the (drone), blinding the mission at this particular spot. »
In recent weeks the drone monitored on « multiple occasions » convoys entering Ukrainian territory across a non-official crossing from Russia and spotted a surface-to-air missile system shortly before being lost.
