The US Navy released two videos showing that while operating in the Philippine Sean a Russian destroyer (Udaloy I DD 572) made an unsafe maneuver against USS Chancellorsville (CG-62), closing to ~50-100 feet. The incident took place at approximately 11:45 am on June 7, 2019.
According to the US Navy, the USS Chancellorsville was recovering her helicopter on a steady course and speed when the Russian ship DD572 maneuvered from behind and to the right of USS Chancellorsville, accelerated and closed to an unsafe distance of ~50-100 feet.
This unsafe action forced Chancellorsville to execute all engines back full and to maneuver to avoid collision.
The US Navy commented that Russia’s actions were unsafe and unprofessional and not in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS).
CNO Admiral John Richardson tweeted that the Captain’s behaviour of the Russian destroyer was irresponsible and reckless.
In the meantime, a Russian Pacific Fleet statement commented that a group of Russian warships were on a parallel course with a U.S. naval strike group.
The U.S guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville suddenly changed course and cut across the path of the destroyer Admiral Vinogradov coming within 50 meters of the ship. A protest over the international radio frequency was made to the commanders of the American ship who were warned about the unacceptable nature of such actions.
