The command of the Pacific Fleet of the US Navy claims that the statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense about the destroyer Chafee are not true. According to Washington, their ship was operating in accordance with international law. Russia on the eve announced an attempt by Chafee to cross the border in the Sea of Japan.
“The statement of the RF Ministry of Defense on the interaction of the two ships of our naval forces does not correspond to reality. <...> The interaction was safe and professional, ”the US Pacific Fleet said in a statement. It is noted that Chafee “acted in accordance with international law and custom.”
According to the US, their destroyer on October 15 conducted “current operations” in the waters of the Sea of Japan. An Udaloy-class anti-submarine ship approached it at a distance of 65 yards (less than 60 m). “Although Russia issued a notice to seamen and pilots in this area later, at the time of interaction this notice was not in effect,” the command says. It stated that the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate where international law allows it.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on the eve that the Pacific Fleet ship “Admiral Tributs” stopped the attempt of the US destroyer Chafee to cross the Russian border in the Sea of Japan. The ministry also noted that the ships approached at a distance of less than 60 m. Russian sailors warned the American about the inadmissibility of such actions, as well as that they were in an area closed to navigation due to artillery fire at the Russian-Chinese exercises “Sea Interaction-2021 “. The Russian Defense Ministry called the American military attaché in connection with the incident.
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