US Navy denies Russian claim it pushed destroyer Chafee from its territorial waters!

Moscow: The U.S. Navy is denying a Russian Defense Ministry claim that a Russian warship on Friday prevented a U.S. Navy destroyer from attempting to intrude into Russia’s territorial waters in the Sea of Japan.

The dispute over what happened with the U.S. Navy destroyer Chafee came as Russia and China conducted joint naval drills in the area, and follows other close encounters involving Russian and Western warships. It appears to reflect Moscow’s intention to raise the stakes in deterring the U.S. and its allies from sending their ships on missions near Russian waters, as relations between Russia and the West are at a post-Cold War low.

In a statement from U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs Friday afternoon (EST), the Navy pushed back against the Russian assertions.

“The statement from the Russian Defense Ministry about the interaction between our two Navy ships is false,” it states. “While USS Chafee (DDG 90) was conducting routine operations in international water in the Sea of Japan on Oct. 15, 2021, a Russian Udaloy-class destroyer came within approximately 65 yards of USS Chafee (DDG 90) while the ship was preparing for flight operations.

“The interaction was safe and professional.,” it continues. “Although Russia issued a Notice to Airman and Mariners (NOTAM/NOTMAR) in this area for later in the day, the NOTAM/NOTMAR was not in effect at the time of the interaction. At all times, USS Chafee conducted operations in accordance with international law and custom. The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate where international law allows.”