Russian Spy Ship “Aggressively” Taunts US Warship

The Navy Times reports:

The warship Farragut was “aggressively approached” by a Russian naval ship Thursday in the North Arabian Sea, U.S. 5th Fleet officials said. The American guided-missile destroyer was conducting routine operations at the time of the approach, according to a statement from the Bahrain-based command.

“Farragut sounded five short blasts, the international maritime signal for danger of a collision, and requested the Russian ship alter course in accordance with international rules of the road,” according to the command.

The Russian vessel “initially refused” but ultimately altered its course and the two ships opened distance from each other, 5th Fleet said. The Russian Defence Ministry dismissed as “untrue” U.S. 5th Fleet’s claim that the Russian spy ship “aggressively approached” the destroyer.

On Thursday, Jan. 9, while conducting routine operations in the North Arabian Sea, USS Farragut (DDG 99) was aggressively approached by a Russian Navy ship. pic.twitter.com/SCVyTINNqe

— U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 10, 2020

Farragut sounded five short blasts, the international maritime signal for danger of a collision, and requested the Russian ship alter course in accordance with international rules of the road. pic.twitter.com/OGCeAGKOy3

— U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 10, 2020

While the Russian ship took action, the initial delay in complying with international rules while it was making an aggressive approach increased the risk of collision.

The U.S. Navy continues to remain vigilant and is trained to act in a professional manner.

— U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 10, 2020