As I see it. Its a very warranted act of defense
Not sure why some FReepers cannot get their heads around the simple concept of international air space.
But whether the US was or was not in international waters is not really the point. The US is openly aiding the Ukraine with materials, weapons and intelligence. We are not just flying past. We have admitted all this. So the Russians are at war with us. They just need us to stay out. Our population will not support a war because a drone got injured. In fact I am not sure the US could raise an army to go to war at all. There are large costs when a government looses the trust of their people. And one of them is that men will not fight. Conservatives are the ones that normally join the army. But many see the American Generals as lying warmongers. I bet a draft would produce a lot of American expats.
Bizarre, since even the Russians are NOT making the claim the drone was not in international airspace.
there is little room in the Black Sea for international waters
Its "International airspace" not international waters. International airspace is 12 nautical miles which converts to 13.8 miles. So yes, there is a lot of international airspace off of Crimea.
But whether the US was or was not in international waters is not really the point... We are not just flying past.
So the truth is the US was in international airspace where the Russians were supposed to leave everybody alone.
In fact I am not sure the US could raise an army to go to war at all.
Ukraine does NOT want US soldiers, they want US weapons, like ATACMS that will allow them to win.