Russian destroyer put US cruiser at risk with "unsafe" manoeuvre.

According to a statement made by the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet on Friday, June 07, the Russian Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Vinogradov came within 100 feet of the U.S. cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) as it was attempting to recover a helicopter in the Western Pacific.

The USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) conducting high-speed turn near the Republic of Korea (Picture Source: U.S. Navy)

“While Chancellorsville was recovering its helicopter on a steady course and speed when the Russian ship DD572 maneuvered from behind and to the right of 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,” read the statement.

“We consider Russia’s actions during this interaction as unsafe and unprofessional and not in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), ‘Rules of the Road,’ and internationally recognized maritime customs.” it added.

The statement from 7th Fleets follows reports in the Russian state-controlled press that Chancellorsville had in fact cut in front of Admiral Vinogradov. “The U.S. cruiser Chancellorsville suddenly changed its course and crossed the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer’s course some 50 meters away from the ship,” read the statement from the Russian military. “In order to prevent a collision, the Admiral Vinogradov’s crew was forced to conduct an emergency maneuver.”