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Destroyer Came “Dangerously Close” To Russian Warship
Russia claims a US destroyer came “dangerously close” to one of its warships in the Mediterranean.
The Russian Defence Ministry claimed the incident, involving the USS Gravely and the Russian Navy frigate Yaroslav Mudry, was a “gross violation of international rules on the prevention of collisions at sea”, saying:
"On June 17, in the east of the Mediterranean Sea, the American destroyer USS Gravely came dangerously close to a Russian warship, 60 to 70 metres from the left side, and crossed the path of frigate Yaroslav Mudry at the dangerous distance of 180 metres from the bow."
Russia's RT network appears to show the incident.
They said the Russian frigate was in international waters and was not “conducting dangerous manoeuvres” and added that the US crew were to blame:
“US sailors allow themselves to neglect key foundations of navigation safety without thinking of the consequences that dangerous manoeuvring in a heavily trafficked maritime area might involve.”
The ministry added that the Pentagon "has recently accused with great perseverance Russian pilots and marines of lacking professionalism but this incident shows that US marines allow themselves to forget basic rules of maritime safety."
Russian fighter jets buzzing the USS Donald Cook.
The US has reported a number of recent cases of Russian planes buzzing their ships and planes and sailing too close to their vessels in recent months
Picture: The USS Gravely in 2013. Courtesy: Paul Farley
The USS Gravely is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer named after Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr.
She was commissioned in 2010 and is currently part of Carrier Strike Group Two.
The Neustrashimyy-class Yaroslav Mudry was commissioned in 2009 and was last spotted near Malta earlier this month.
The United States has not commented on the incident.
Cover image from Russian network RT
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