But there are concerns that Russian pilots will knock a Reaper drone out of the sky and that Moscow believes that type of action would not get a strong US military response, the official said.

Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-sending-f-16-fighter-jets-to-protect-ships-from-iranian-seizures-in-gulf-region/

Russian pilots have also ramped up their harassment to keep pressure on American forces in Syria over the past year-plus, conducting unauthorized flyovers of US bases on a "daily basis," according to the top US Air Force commander in the Middle East.

Source: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/03/top-us-general-mark-milley-makes-surprise-visit-syria

Since the beginning of the war, Russian pilots have not had a good record – many of the electronic components needed to build new jets are not available in Russia due to Western sanctions, and the Kremlin is losing dozens of planes.

Source: https://columbuspost.com/nato-officials-its-russias-spring-offensive-thats-all/

The Russia expert said an order seemed to have been issued to Russian pilots not to let UK and U.S. aircraft too close to Russian airspace.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11975075/Russian-hotheaded-fighter-jets-threaten-safety-RAF-pilots-military-expert-warns.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490