Russia’s Su-35 chases off US F-22 fighter in Syria

"On November 23, in the air above the western bank of the Euphrates River, a US F-22 fighter hindered actively Russia’s two Sukhoi-24 attackers in fulfilling their combat tasks to destroy a command station of the Islamic State near Mayadin," spokesman of the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov said. "The F-22 fired heat flares and released braking flaps, constantly maneuvering, to simulate a dogfight."

The F-22 Raptor "halted dangerous maneuvers and hurried away into Iraq’s air space" after the Russian Su-35S highly maneuverable aircraft appeared nearby, Konashenkov said.

"The US side regarding this and many other incidents in the air above Syria has not offered responses to the Russian command at the Khmeimim base," he added, advising Pentagon officials to concentrate on their fight against ISIL terrorists in Iraq rather than on provocations in the air, reported TASS.