Russian Jets Flying Overs US Warships May Escalate Tensions - EUCOM

Flyovers by Russian jets in the proximity to US Navy ships could escalate tensions between the two countries.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Flyovers by Russian jets in the proximity to US Navy destroyers could cause greater tensions between the two countries while potentially causing incidents, the US European Command (EUCOM) said in a press release on Wednesday.

"These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries, and could result in a miscalculation or accident that could cause serious injury or death," the release stated.

Two Russian Su-24 bombers jets flew over the US Navy destroyer Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea in manner that resembled an attack and ignored safety advisories, US European Command said in a press release on Wednesday.

"The Russian aircraft flew in a simulated attack profile and failed to respond to repeated safety advisories in both English and Russian," the press release stated.

US officials are addressing maneuvers by Russian aircraft in close proximity of a US destroyer through diplomatic and military channels, the US European Command (EUCOM) said in a press release on Wednesday.

"US officials are using existing diplomatic channels to address the interactions, while the incidents are also being reviewed through US Navy channels," the release stated.

USS Donald Cook operating in the Baltic Sea experienced several close interactions by Russian aircraft on April 11 and 12, according to EUCOM.