Russia, U.S. trade charges after near naval collision

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Europe

01:08

Russia and the United States on Friday accused each other of dangerous maneuvers after their naval ships came close to a collision in the East China Sea.

The incident occurred earlier on Friday at 6:35 a.m. Moscow time (0335 GMT), according to a statement of the Russian Pacific Fleet, published by the ministry's official news agency Krasnaya Zvezda.

Russia's Pacific Fleet said that the U.S. guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville suddenly cut across the course of its anti-submarine ship Admiral Vinogradov, passing in front of it at a distance of just 50 meters.

The Russian warship had to conduct an emergency maneuver to avoid the collision, the navy said, adding that it had sent a message of protest to the U.S. cruiser's commanders.

Photos posted online by the U.S. Navy showed the near collision of U.S and Russia naval ships in the East China Sea. /AFP Photo

Admiral Viktor Kravchenko, Russia's former navy chief of staff, accused the U.S. of "hooliganism" in comments to Interfax news agency.

But the U.S. Seventh Fleet later attributed the incident to an "unsafe" maneuver by the Russian ship, which it said had accelerated from behind to sail within 50 to 100 feet of the Chancellorsville, "putting the safety of her crew and ship at risk."

"We consider Russia's actions during this interaction as unsafe and unprofessional," the U.S. Navy said.

Patrick Shanahan, the acting U.S. defense secretary, said the United States planned a formal protest to Russia and would seek conversations between the two militaries on the incident.

A U.S. Navy official told AFP under international rules of navigation, a ship seeking to overtake another vessel bears the responsibility for ensuring the safety of the one it is passing.

File photo of the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer and the Admiral Nevelsky warship (L-R) of the Russian Navy, serving in the Russian Pacific Fleet, in a naval parade celebrating the Navy Day of Russia. /VCG Photo

The United States and Russia have been at loggerheads over a range of issues including Crimea, Venezuela and alleged interference of Russia in the U.S. election.

Russian senator Alexei Pushkov said that the sea incident could further worsen relations.

"Especially in the atmosphere of constant hysteria over Russia in U.S. political circles," he tweeted, "this is walking on the razor's edge."

Russia and the U.S. regularly accuse each other of carrying out dangerous naval or aerial maneuvers.

In June 2016, Moscow and Washington traded accusations after their naval ships sailed closely past each other in the eastern Mediterranean.

A month later, the U.S. accused Russia of "aggressive" moves by one of its warships in the same waters.

(With input from AFP, Xinhua)