After Russia's Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that a Russian military ship thwarted an alleged attempt by the U.S. destroyer USS Chaffee to violate Russian territorial waters in the Sea of Japan, it was reported that the ministry summoned the U.S. military attaché following the incident. The Kremlin added that the Russian Ministry of Defense reprimanded the American diplomat in response to the destroyer's actions.
The ministry revealed that the incident occurred during Russian-Chinese naval exercises in the Sea of Japan, stating that the crew of the Russian ship Admiral Tributs warned via an international communication channel against such movements. They informed the American destroyer that it had entered a restricted area closed to navigation due to live-fire drills, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.
**Changed Course Despite Warnings**
The statement further noted that after receiving the warning, the USS Chaffee did not alter its course to exit the restricted area; instead, it raised colored flags indicating preparation for a helicopter takeoff from the deck, suggesting that it would be impossible to change course and speed. The vessel then proceeded with actions that violated the borders of the Russian Federation in the Gulf of Peter the Great, as stated in the announcement.
It confirmed that the ship "Admiral Tributs," operating under international navigation rules, took a course to remove the intruder from Russian territorial waters.
**Mine Countermeasure Training**
Notably, the joint Russian-Chinese exercises titled "Marine Cooperation 2021" are taking place from October 14 to 17, involving warships and support vessels from the Russian Pacific Fleet, including mine sweepers and submarines. In contrast, two destroyers, one submarine, and two cruisers are among the ships sent by Beijing to participate in the exercises.
Additionally, the press service of the Russian Pacific Fleet reported that Russian and Chinese naval ships, during the maritime interaction maneuvers in the Sea of Japan, conducted artillery fire to destroy mines as part of their mine hazard mitigation efforts.
