Featured Image Credit: US Air Force / Flighttracker24
Topics: News, World News
Niamh Spence
An aircraft has been spotted routinely circling the Black Sea area close to Ukraine, and is thought to be one of two aircrafts in the US Air Force.
Users of the Flightradar24 app have been able to track aircrafts and have spotted the military planes leaving Sicily before hovering over the Black Sea. The planes under the call signs Forte10, Forte11 and Forte12 have been tracked as leaving the Mediterranean and then occupying the Ukrainian airspace. The move to be the only active aircraft publicly visible over eastern Ukraine, is thought to be a show of support and solidarity from the US Air Force.
Speaking to NDTV, Ian Petchenik, communications director at Flightradar24, said: "With these types of flights, leaving the transponder on is a conscious decision."
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The U.S. Air Force declined to comment on the details of the flights or aircrafts but said the United States routinely operates aircraft in support of intelligence objectives.
"These missions demonstrate our continued commitment to safety and security in the region," a spokesperson explained.
According to the Air Force's website, the mission of such aircraft is to collect intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance "to support joint combatant forces in worldwide peacetime, contingency and wartime operations."
Earlier this year, the Flightradar24 website revealed that Forte11 was its most tracked flight, and then later reported that it had been airborne for more than 21 hours.
The show of support from the US Air Force comes as Ukraine remains in war with Russia.
Earlier this month, a targeted siege in the southern city of Mykolaiv killed one of Ukraine's most prominent businessmen after his home was targeted by Russian missiles. The attack was one of many rained down by Russian military, but Vadaturksy is thought to have been a clear target due to his prominence in business.
Since Russian president Vladimir Putin first sent troops across the border into Ukraine on 24 February, around 212 educational facilities from nurseries to schools and universities have been destroyed, with around 1,849 severely damaged as of 24 June.
Ukrainian officials reported in June that roughly 500 hospitals, 500 factories, 50 rail and 300 car bridges as also being lost as a result of Russian attacks.
It has since been estimated that the damage could require other countries to give aid totalling $1.1 trillion to help get the country back on its feet.
Between $1 billion and $1.5 billion is expected to be reassigned and used to help with efforts to rebuild the country.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information