A U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser was forced to execute emergency maneuvers on Friday after a Russian destroyer came within several yards of the American ship, the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet said.
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“” The behavior is unsafe and unprofessional."This unsafe action forced Chancellorsville to execute all engines back full and to maneuver to avoid collision," the statement continued.
Russia's Pacific Fleet argued it was the American ship that changed course without warning, forcing the Russian ship to execute an emergency maneuver to avoid collision. The Russian statement also said that the ship, the Admiral Vinogradov, broadcast a protest on an international frequency to the U.S. ship, telling it that its actions were unacceptable.
BREAKING: #USNavy has released video of #USSChancellorsville being forced to maneuver to avoid collision, after #Russian destroyer Udaloy I made an unsafe and unprofessional approach in the Phillippine Sea, June 7th. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/bM9ZHuYSUM
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) June 7, 2019Reacting to the incident on Friday, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters his initial reaction was a concern for the safety of the men and women on the ship.
(MORE: Navy plane buzzed by Russian fighter over international waters)"The behavior is unsafe and unprofessional," Shanahan said. "We'll have military to military conversations with the Russians. And of course we'll démarche them. But you know it's -- to me, safety at the end of the day is most important. It will not deter us from conducting our operations."