Non-pilot here. Was the fuel dump a sign that the Russian pilot expected collision? Are we basically talking about a malfunction or error with either the Russian fighter or the pilot?
Apparently the fuel was dumped on the drone to blind it’s camera.
They were probably hoping it would ignite and destroy the aircraft.
Perhaps the Russian pilot was afraid it would make his jet explode.
Or he didn’t have any matches
his intent was to splash fuel in the flight path of the drone
Malfunction or error-—that’s funny.
No way that could be intentional!
Blind the sensors
Stall out the UAV's motor
Burn the UAV up.
What is really curious is the similarities to the chinese balloon operations here.