Russia Says Ship Intercepted U.S. Destroyer in Sea of Japan

(Bloomberg) -- Russia said one of its warships intercepted a U.S. destroyer in the Sea of Japan that was encroaching on its territorial waters, claiming the vessels came within 60 meters (200 feet) of each other during the confrontation. 

The U.S. Pacific Fleet rejected Russia’s characterization of the incident hours later. 

The Russian Defense Ministry posted a video Friday of the Admiral Tributs sailing near the USS Chafee, a guided-missile destroyer, and said it prevented the American vessel from violating Russia’s territorial waters. The Russian Pacific Fleet anti-submarine ship issued repeated warnings to the U.S. vessel to change course, the Interfax news service reported, citing a Defense Ministry statement.  

“The statement from the Russian Defense Ministry about the interaction between our two Navy ships is false,” U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs said in an emailed statement, which added that the interaction between the two ships was “safe and professional.” 

The episode took place in an area that had been closed for joint Russia-China naval exercises, according to Interfax. The U.S. disputed that as well. 

“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,” according to the U.S. statement. “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.”

It’s the latest in a series of close military encounters between Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization members amid some of the worst tensions since the Cold War. 

In June, Russia said it forced a U.K. destroyer in the Black Sea off the coast of Crimea to change course after it fired warning shots. The U.K. denied the claims and said its ship was in international waters at the time. 

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