The US Navy says a Russian warship harassed a US carrier strike group in the Mediterranean
RT
The US Navy claims that the Russian frigate Yaroslav Mudry "was intentionally trying to interfere with Harry S. Truman operations," while sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean sea on June 17.
Initially, the Yaroslav Mudry indicated to US ships operating in the area that it's ability to maneuver had become restricted, but continued to move towards the USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer accompanying the USS Harry S. Truman which is carrying out airstrikes against ISIS in the area, the US Naval Institute reports.
On Tuesday, Russia's state-run RT media outlet released a video and statement claiming that the Gravely had neglected international rules of navigation and approached the Yaroslav Mudry, but their own video seems to show the Yaroslav Mudry steering towards the Gravely.
The video shows the ships coming within 315 yards of each other.
US Naval officials said that the Gravely stayed between the Yaroslav Mudry and the Truman throughout the incident.
"We have deep concerns about the unsafe and unprofessional Russian ship maneuvers. These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries, and could result in a miscalculation or accident which results in serious injury or death," an US Navy official told the US Naval Institute.
"The maneuvering demonstrates that Yaroslav Mudry was not in fact restricted in her ability to maneuver, and was thus intentionally displaying a false international signal," said one official to Fox News.
This incident is only the latest in a string of confrontations between Russian and US forces at sea. In April, Russian Su-24 war planes simulated an attack on the USS Donald Cook while in the Baltic Sea.
At the time, US Secretary of State John Kerry remarked that the incident was a close call, and "could have been a shoot-down."
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
- Realme Narzo 70, Narzo 70X 5G smartphones launched in India starting at ₹11,999
- Indian housing sentiment index soars, Ahmedabad emerges as frontrunner
- 10 Best tourist places to visit in Ladakh in 2024
- Invest in disaster resilience today for safer tomorrow: PM Modi
- Apple Let Loose event scheduled for May 7 – New iPad models expected to be launched