UNDER ATTACK: THE U.S. DRONE

Pentagon film shows smash | Russia still says 'no contact'

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

LEAVING a trail of fuel in its wake, a Russian fighter jet is pictured moments before colliding with a US drone in a terrifying escalation of tensions between the superpowers.

Footage released by the Pentagon shows the Su-27 Flanker approaching its unmanned MQ-9 Reaper aircraft from behind before clipping its propeller.

Tuesday's drama above the Black Sea, near Crimea, was the first direct confrontation between Russia and the US since warmongering President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine last February.

The 42-second clip shows the 1,553mph Russian jet making two passes - each time spraying what the Pentagon says is jet fuel on the drone.