On Thursday, Jan. 9, while conducting routine operations in the North Arabian Sea, USS Farragut (DDG 99) was aggressively approached by a Russian Navy ship.
Farragut sounded five short blasts, the international maritime signal warning of the danger of a collision, and requested the Russian ship alter course in accordance with international rules of the road.
It came within 180 feet of the American craft and narrowly avoided a collision, U.S. military officials said Friday.
The Russian ship initially refused but ultimately altered course and the two ships opened distance from one another.
For a nation with an economy the size of New Jersey, they sure have a lot of nerve.
Farragut sounded five short blasts, the international maritime signal for danger of a collision, and requested the Russian ship alter course in accordance with international rules of the road. pic.twitter.com/OGCeAGKOy3
— U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 10, 2020
Ever since the fall of the Shah Tehran has enjoyed close ties with Moscow, so this basically a signal to the US fleet in the area whose side Russia will be on if the US goes to war against Iran. China will also side with Iran in spite of bad blood between Russia and China, but President Trump is to be commended for dealing with all three through a position of strength.
PATHETIC…Russia, you really don’t want to push Trump, now do you? you know what will happen, did you not learn anything about how we respond to terrorism?
Place Russia on notice that these aggressive intimidation maneuvers need to stop now as they will no longer be tolerated. After an initial warning to cease and desist without immediate appropriate deescalating response, the US will respond appropriately as necessary to eliminate the threat!
Russia has been playing silly games like this for years including dangerous encounters with US military aircraft. Time to place harsh economic sanctions on Russia until they stop this childness.