Russian defence minister: drone flights could spark escalation

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin on Wednesday that operating drone flights near Crimea was provocative and could lead to an escalation, the Russian Defence Ministry said.

"It was noted that flights by American strategic lethal drones by the Crimea coastline were provocative in nature and created pre-conditions for an escalation of the situation in the Black Sea zone," a ministry statement said of Shoigu's telephone conversation with Defense Secretary Austin.

Russia, the statement said, "had no interest in such a development but will in future react in due proportion".