In the North Arabian Sea on Thursday, a Russian warship "aggressively approached" the US Navy destroyer USS Farragut, the US Navy says.
Defense officials say the Russian warship ignored warnings, which increased the risk of a collision.
Video posted to Twitter by the U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) below shows the Russian warship rapidly approaching the USS Farragut.
On Thursday, Jan. 9, while conducting routine operations in the North Arabian Sea, USS Farragut (DDG 99) was aggressively approached by a Russian Navy ship. pic.twitter.com/SCVyTINNqe
— U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 10, 2020
Farragut sounded five short blasts, the international maritime signal for danger of a collision, and requested the Russian ship alter course in accordance with international rules of the road. pic.twitter.com/OGCeAGKOy3
— U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 10, 2020
The Russian ship initially refused but ultimately altered course and the two ships opened distance from one another.
— U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 10, 2020
While the Russian ship took action, the initial delay in complying with international rules while it was making an aggressive approach increased the risk of collision.
The U.S. Navy continues to remain vigilant and is trained to act in a professional manner.
— U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 10, 2020
Defense officials told CNN the Russians got as close as 180 feet to the US ship before veering away.
The incident is the latest example of a close encounter between US and Russian military forces that American officials have described as unsafe or provocative.
It comes roughly seven months after another incident in the Pacific when US and Russian warships came so close the US ship had to perform an emergency maneuver to avoid a collision.
#Russia defense ministry replies that @USNavy account of incident isn’t true and the USS Farragut unprofessionally crossed the path of the Russian navy ship. https://t.co/H3ws9ImDbK
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) January 10, 2020
