Russia?€™s Defense Ministry has accused the U.S. guided missile destroyer USS Gravely of coming dangerously close to Russia's Yaroslav Mudry warship, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.
The incident happened in the Mediterranean Sea on June 17. According to the Defense Ministry?€™s statement, the maneuver ?€?severely violated both international rules and Russian-American agreements.?€?
The USS Gravely had a close encounter with the Russian warship at a distance of 60-70 meters at the left side and crossed the Yaroslav Mudry's sailing course along the bow at a dangerous distance of 180 meters, the statement said.
The ministry noted that the Russian ship did not carry out any dangerous maneuvers and did not deviate from its route, Interfax reported.
The Defense Ministry also said that the United States has repeatedly accused Russian pilots and sailors of a lack of professionalism.
?€?This incident shows that American sailors allow themselves to forget about the basic principles of safety and do not think about the consequences that dangerous maneuvers in areas of heavy traffic can cause,?€? the statement said.
Following the incident, the Russian ministry sent a note to the Pentagon in which it pointed out that the American captain and crew had grossly violated regulations on preventing ship collisions, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.
The incident has become the latest encounter between U.S. and Russian military assets. Earlier this year, the Pentagon repeatedly claimed that Russian jets performed dangerous maneuvers close to U.S. ships.
In April, the U.S. accused Russia of conducting a ?€?simulated attack?€? on the U.S. destroyer Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea, which was described by American defense officials as ?€? more aggressive than anything seen in some time.?€?
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