"The drone may have been spying, but as it was well into international waters the attack on the drone could be seen as an act of war."

It wasn't just spying, it was providing targeting information>
Which is all good and fine, the US can side with Ukraine, but they can't not say they're an active participant in the war.
I head Shoigu gave the Su-27 pilots medals.

"How do you think this plays out in the US when deciding which weapons and how much to send to Ukraine?"
I know they've already sent a replacement Reaper to continue the surveillance.
- Depends if they listen to Lindsay Graham and the other hawkish voices whether they decide on a direct confrontation with Russia, I think Poland is sending about 29 Mig 29's to Ukraine.
The US might support another load of cash and a new weapons shipment, but all this is deducing their own stockpiles.

"I see that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes."
- Yeah that annoyed me actually, because I know it's a lie
- Well honestly I wasn't there, but I believe the eyewitnesses over the Ukrainian / Western war crimes narrative.

That the ICC and Amnesty is all in on it, makes me think they're all lying criminals and a greater war is certainly on the horizon at some point.

Also heard China is sending Russia weapons, though only assault rifles, body armour and drones.
http://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/16/chinese-rifles-body-armor-russia-ukraine-00087398

Xi will be in Moscow on Monday.

Blood-brothers Putin+Xi Jinping to meet in Moscow +sign IMPORTANT documents.
http://youtu.be/Ud_iEwie6y4

"Russia's offensive has petered out with trivial gains and huge losses. Russia cannot continue fighting indefinitely and is losing this war"

They haven't even started their new offensive yet.
I think they're holding out for better weather conditions of until after Bakhmut falls to the Russians, which won't be long.
Russian forces are quickly encirling Avdiivka too.

Ukraine warns Russia massing 500,000 troops on border for offensive
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/3841230-ukraine-warns-russia-massing-500000-troops-on-border-for-offensive/

I did hear something about the 'human waves' thing.
Russia is doing this to break the morale of Ukrainian defenders.
They don't even get time to rest or have a coffee, it continues 24/7.

Ukrainians copped a walloping in Kremmina a day or so back.
250 odd KIA in a single day there.
Ukraine may be losing 1000 KIA and wounded all told every single day some reports suggest.

The drone incident is a big yawn. It has even put the Republicans to sleep. A non-event if ever there was one. Give it a week, and it won't be mentioned.

It'd be very simple for a drone operator to nudge the fighter jet & blame it on the FJ Pilot !.
It'd be just as simple for the FJ Pilot to nudge the drone !
Ask me & I'd question the validity of the "Right" to send a US drone into that area. Would any Nation have the "Right" to fly drones around the Gulf of Mexico ?
I suppose China flies everywhere via Chinese made drones that every Tom, Dick & Harry bought off them because Western manufacturing can't build them.

AC,

According to your logic, it would be perfectly OK for the US to shoot down the Russian fighters in the same area. It is good that Putin is now officially a war criminal and takes his place alongside his peers such as Hitler and Stalin and can now be referred to as Putler.

The great Russian offensive has come and gone. The 500 000 have been and gone many of them fertilizing Ukrainian soil. The losses of more tanks, IFVs, planes helicopters lost this last month than Russia can replace in a year.

As for Ukrainian losses near Kreminna, your sources always get it wrong and have done so again. P.S. Remember a month ago when you claimed that Bakhmut was operationally encircled? Seems as though the Ukrainians are still using Bakhmut to massacre Russians.

I see that the Ukrainian counter-offensive is starting.

Russia is losing this war.

"According to your logic, it would be perfectly OK for the US to shoot down the Russian fighters in the same area."

- Yes under the right to collective self defense.
But that would be open warfare between Russia and America, and America only fights weak countries, like blowing up wedding parties and goat herders.
It'd be a nightmare for them seeing so many flag draped coffins coming home.

"It is good that Putin is now officially a war criminal..."
Stop lying Pinocchio.

Russian journalist gets six years for accusing Moscow of Mariupol theatre bombing
http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/russian-journalist-gets-six-years-for-accusing-moscow-of-mariupol-theatre-bombing/
"Kyiv accused Russia of bombing the theatre, while Russia said it had been blown up by Ukrainian nationalists."

They're parading all this on the back of the Mariupol Drama Theatre which was a false flag.
I showed you eyewitness accounts, but you have western blinkers on.
Here's the damn link again:
What REALLY Happened At The Mariupol Drama Theatre.
http://youtu.be/cKlgBw8mQhs?t=1670
[Completely consistent with Russian claims]

Same with Bucha, Ukrainians went on 'Safari' killing suspected Russian collaborators.
Special Forces Regiment SAFARI Begins Clearing Operation in Bucha from Saboteurs and Accomplices of Russia - National Police
http://en.lb.ua/news/2022/04/02/12441_special_forces_regiment_safari.html

And the residential buildings hit are either:
- Housing Ukrainian or Western military officers
(legitimate military target)
- Ukrainian military defense using residents as human shields
(legitimate military target for which they have form, see link below)
http://www.voanews.com/a/un-russia-and-ukraine-share-blame-for-nursing-home-attack-/6652481.html
- False flags by the Ukrainians themselves to blame on Russia
(They have form here too: false flag at Mariupol Drama Theatre)
- Missiles intercepted by air defense that came on on those residential buildings that were never aimed at those buildings.

Unlike Ukraine who's been indiscriminately bombing hospitals, kindergartens, cafes and anything else to cause terror on civilians in Donetsk for 9 years.

The talk of people being taken to Russia and held captive without passports is a lie.
I took a LIBERAL, ANTI WAR Protester to see the truth in Donbass, and THIS Happened!
http://youtu.be/0OysQ7yQl_o?t=2115

Did you want them to do leave orphaned kids under bombs when Ukraine was deliberately targeting civilians?
- And they voted to join Russia.