WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The Russian ship was allegedly observed by the US cruiser to be approaching “with ten personnel topside and weapons uncovered but unmanned.”
“The actions of FF-777 [the Yaroslav Mudry] were abnormal as they displayed maneuvers rarely seen by professional mariners at sea combined with an aggressive approach of [the San Jacinto],” the message said as quoted by the Defense News media outlet.
After the 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 have begun broadcasting “do not cross my bow,” which was described in the message as “inconsistent with the spirit of the [Incidents at Sea] agreement,” that both Russia and the United States have been abiding by for years.
The report came two weeks after another incident with the Yaroslav Mudry and the US guided missile destroyer Gravely.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the US destroyer Gravely, which escorted Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Eastern Mediterranean on June 17, violated international and bilateral agreement on avoiding incidents at seas by approaching the Russian frigate dangerously close.
US military responded to Russia's stance that during the incident, the Yaroslav Mudry frigate had displayed the signal restricted in maneuvers, but changed its speed to approach to the US ship after Gravely had changed both speed and course.
