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The reconnaissance drone of the US armed forces that crashed in the Black Sea may never be recovered from the water, said the spokesman of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, quoted by BTA.

The drone crashed after it was intercepted by Russian fighter jets, and already strained relations between Washington and Moscow further soured.

"He's not out yet," Kirby said in an interview with CNN.

"And I'm not sure we're going to be able to get him out. Where he went down in the Black Sea – the water is very, very deep. So we're still assessing whether there might be any attempt to get him out. He might no," he added.

The US will publish footage of the clash over the Black Sea

U.S. officials have taken steps to limit the Russians' ability to extract useful information from the drone if they take it out, Kirby said.

"However, it is still our property," added Kirby, and assured that the US authorities will continue to explore the possibilities of removing the drone.

The incident over international waters yesterday was a reminder of the risk of direct confrontation between the US and Russia over Ukraine.

Moscow invaded the neighboring country more than a year ago, and Western allies have been supporting Kiev with intelligence and weapons ever since.

Meanwhile, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said Russia would try to retrieve the remains of the drone.

Black Sea

downed drone