Honored military pilot Vladimir Popov believes NATO aircraft and strategic drones play a key role in improving the accuracy of Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.
According to him, the alliance regularly provides Ukraine with intelligence data. In the Black Sea area, both manned aircraft, including E-3A planes, and heavy reconnaissance UAVs operate on a constant basis.
Popov said NATO reconnaissance aircraft are not the only platforms active in the region. He pointed to MQ-4 and MQ-9 drones, describing them as strategic turboprop and jet-powered reconnaissance systems that routinely patrol along the coast and monitor the area. In his view, the information is first transmitted to the Americans and then passed on to Ukraine through intermediary channels.
The expert argued that the high accuracy of Ukrainian attacks indicates direct coordination. He said drones identify weak points in the air defense system and help deliver precise strikes.
At the same time, Popov noted that despite NATO’s visible role, Russian forces cannot destroy alliance aircraft and drones without facing serious consequences. He explained that reconnaissance platforms operate in international waters and often fly with transponders switched on, openly identifying themselves.
In his opinion, an attack on such targets could trigger direct escalation. Popov warned that in that scenario, Western countries could begin targeting Russian aircraft in response.