On Saturday, the US military accused a Russian warship of carrying out aggressive and erratic maneuvers close to a US Navy ship in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the second such Cold War-style brush between the two forces on the high seas in a matter of weeks.
US European Command (EUCOM) said the Russian frigate, Yaroslav Mudry, tracked unnecessarily close to the USS Jacinto on June 30 and tailed the ship in a hostile manner.
EUCOM acknowledged that the US ship was never threatened and was allowed to maintain its course and speed without interruption, "but the closing distance by the Yaroslav Mudry before the ship turned away from San Jacinto is considered a high risk maneuver, highly unprofessional, and contrary to international regulations."
"These actions can unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries, and could result in dangerous miscalculations or accidents," EUCOM said in a statement about the "aggressive, erratic maneuvers" of the Russian warship.
After a close approach the Russian ship is said to "have taken station in the San Jacinto’s wake about 3,000 yards astern of the cruiser" and to have broadcasted "do not cross my bow" which US officials claims is an act “inconsistent with the [Incidents at Sea] agreement.
The incident comes only two weeks after an exclusive Sputnik News video shows that US Naval forces engaged in a dangerous distance along the bow of the Yaroslav Mudry at a distance of less than 230 feet (70 meters) which Moscow decried as a "gross violation" of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
The Yaroslav Mudry followed its course and did not violate any international standards in this previous instance of American military hostility. The actions taken by the Yaroslav Mudry could be understood as a necessary precaution to prevent a similar incident of risky US intimidation tactics on the high seas.
