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Russian and U.S. Navy Ships Narrowly Avoid Collision in Philippine Sea Russian and U.S. Ships Narrowly Avoid Collision in Philippine Sea
(32 minutes later)
A Russian destroyer and a United States Navy guided missile cruiser nearly collided on Friday in the Philippine Sea, and each side blamed the other for what could have been a devastating episode.A Russian destroyer and a United States Navy guided missile cruiser nearly collided on Friday in the Philippine Sea, and each side blamed the other for what could have been a devastating episode.
The United States Navy said the events took place around 11:45 a.m. local time as a result of an “unsafe and unprofessional” move by the Russian vessel, which came within 50 to 100 feet of the U.S.S. Chancellorsville, according to a statement. The cruiser had to quickly maneuver to avoid a collision, the Navy said.The United States Navy said the events took place around 11:45 a.m. local time as a result of an “unsafe and unprofessional” move by the Russian vessel, which came within 50 to 100 feet of the U.S.S. Chancellorsville, according to a statement. The cruiser had to quickly maneuver to avoid a collision, the Navy said.
Cmdr. Clayton Doss, a spokesman for the Seventh Fleet, said in the statement that the Russian destroyer had made an “unsafe maneuver” against the U.S.S. Chancellorsville, “putting the safety of her crew and ship at risk.”Cmdr. Clayton Doss, a spokesman for the Seventh Fleet, said in the statement that the Russian destroyer had made an “unsafe maneuver” against the U.S.S. Chancellorsville, “putting the safety of her crew and ship at risk.”
The Navy later shared two video clips of the episode on its YouTube channel, including one that showed the Russian vessel quickly pulling close alongside the U.S.S. Chancellorsville. Several sailors are visible on the deck. The Navy later shared two video clips of the episode — the second tense encounter between Russian and American forces this week — on its YouTube channel, including one that showed the Russian vessel quickly pulling close alongside the U.S.S. Chancellorsville. Several sailors are visible on the deck.
Russian state news reports framed the events much differently, with the Pacific Fleet press service telling the state-run news agency Tass that the American vessel had hindered the passage of the Russian destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, forcing it to perform a dangerous maneuver to avoid a collision.Russian state news reports framed the events much differently, with the Pacific Fleet press service telling the state-run news agency Tass that the American vessel had hindered the passage of the Russian destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, forcing it to perform a dangerous maneuver to avoid a collision.
“The U.S. cruiser Chancellorsville suddenly changed its course and crossed the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer’s course some 50 meters away from the ship,” the press service said, according to Tass. “In order to prevent a collision, the Admiral Vinogradov’s crew was forced to conduct an emergency maneuver.”“The U.S. cruiser Chancellorsville suddenly changed its course and crossed the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer’s course some 50 meters away from the ship,” the press service said, according to Tass. “In order to prevent a collision, the Admiral Vinogradov’s crew was forced to conduct an emergency maneuver.”
Commander Doss described the Russian account as “propaganda,” Reuters reported.Commander Doss described the Russian account as “propaganda,” Reuters reported.
The United States has previously accused Moscow of coming too close to its aircraft and ships. In the past, Russia flew planes close to American ships and spy planes as a way of demonstrating its displeasure with American military flights over Syria, the Baltics and the Black Sea.The United States has previously accused Moscow of coming too close to its aircraft and ships. In the past, Russia flew planes close to American ships and spy planes as a way of demonstrating its displeasure with American military flights over Syria, the Baltics and the Black Sea.
The military encounters reflect heightened tensions between the two countries. Relations have grown increasingly rocky because of anger in the United States over Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election, its annexation of Crimea and its influence in the conflicts in Syria and Venezuela.
On Tuesday, the United States Navy’s Sixth Fleet said that a P-8A Poseidon aircraft was intercepted by a Russian fighter jet three times in a period of about three hours while flying over the Mediterranean Sea.
The Sixth Fleet said in a statement that the first and third intercepts were safe, but it expressed concern about the second, citing what it said was a “high-speed pass” that caused turbulence that put the pilots and crew of the American aircraft at risk.
“While the Russian aircraft was operating in international airspace, this interaction was irresponsible,” the Navy said in the statement. “We expect them to behave within international standards.”