A screen capture from a U.S. Navy video of the encounter. (U.S. Navy)
WASHINGTON — A Russian warship “aggressively approached” a U.S. Navy destroyer Thursday in the north Arabian Sea, the service said.
“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. Fifth Fleet said in a statement. “The U.S. Navy continues to remain vigilant and is trained to act in a professional manner.”
The USS Farragut was approached by the Russian ship. The incident is the latest in a string of close encounters between American and Russian warships in international waters.
In June, the USS Chancellorsville avoided a near collision with a Russian Udaloy I-class destroyer in the Philippine Sea, with the ships coming between 50 to 100 feet of each other.
"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. The Russian ship initially refused but ultimately altered course," according to the Fifth Fleet’s statement.
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