Two Russian and US warships came close to the incident in the Sea of Japan on Friday, when Russia accused the US Navy of coming too close to its territorial waters, which Washington denied.
At around 5 p.m. (0800 GMT), the American destroyer
USS Chafee
, which had been operating in the Sea of Japan for several days,
"approached the territorial waters of the Russian Federation and attempted to cross the border,"
said in a statement. communicated the Russian Defense Ministry.
Read alsoThe China Sea, a hot spot between Beijing and Washington
"The anti-submarine ship Admiral Tribouts, which was in the area, issued a warning to the foreign ship regarding these inadmissible acts
,
"
added the statement from Moscow.
"The
USS Chafee
, convinced of the determination of the Russian crew to prevent a violation of national borders, turned around at 5:50 pm, while it was within 60 meters"
of
Admiral Tribouts
, assures the Russian Defense Ministry. The Russian navy also notified the American vessel that it was in an area
"closed to navigation due to artillery fire as part of the joint Russian-Chinese Joint Sea 2021 maneuvers
,
"
the statement added.
This is "false," replied the US Navy.
The
USS Chafee
"was performing routine operations in the international waters of the Sea of Japan,"
the US Navy said in a statement, calling the interaction between the two ships
"safe and professional
.
"
Washington admitted that Russia had notified American sailors of maneuvers in the area, but stressed that they were scheduled
"later in the day"
.
Read alsoAn American submarine struck by an unidentified object in the China Sea
The
USS Chafee
has
"respected international laws and customs"
, said the US Navy, stressing that the United States
"will continue to fly, navigate and operate wherever international law permits"
.
Incidents with the Russian Navy are rare in the Pacific.
The region is dominated by China, which takes a dim view of the regular patrols carried out by the United States and its allies in the region's international waters to assert their rights to freedom of navigation.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/EXJQILQR5QI7OMVRTERD7AEZAU.jpg)