A Russian Navy ship made an aggressive approach towards US Navy destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) in the North Arabian Sea on January 9.
As disclosed by the US 5th Fleet, 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.
The approaching ship was identified as a Yuriy Ivanov-class intelligence gathering ship RFS Ivan Khurs, a ship that entered service in 2018 after starting construction in 2013.
The Russian ship initially refused but ultimately altered course and the two ships opened distance from one another.
“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 service said.
This is the first such encounter between US and Russian ships or aircraft this year. In the past years, close encounters between the two sides occurred multiple times a year, predominantly in the waters of the Baltic and Black Seas.
