Navy

Navy says Russian warship ‘aggressively approached’ US vessel in Arabian Sea

by Marty Johnson - 01/10/20 12:00 PM ET

A Russian warship “aggressively approached” a U.S. Naval destroyer in the North Arabian Sea on Thursday, Navy officials said Friday.

“While conducting routine operations in the North Arabian Sea, USS Farragut was aggressively approached by a Russian Navy ship,” the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which heads naval operations in the Middle East, said in a statement.

“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 Navy added. “The Russian ship initially refused but ultimately altered course.”

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

The Russian ship’s delay to take action and alter course, the statement added, increased the risk of collision, CNN reported Friday.

A pair of defense officials told the network that the Russian ship came within 180 feet of the Farragut. They also said that it changed course after the Farragut initiated bridge-to-bridge communications.

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 incident follows a similar incident in June when a U.S. ship had to perform an emergency maneuver to avoid hitting a Russian vessel. The Navy has described both incidences as provocative and dangerous by Russia.

Tags Russia u.s. navy United States