Russian Guided Missile Destroyer Makes Dangerously Close Approach to USS Chancellorsville
While operating in the western Pacific, the Russian destroyer Admiral Vinogradov came within 100 feet of the cruiser USS Chancellorsville while the latter was conducting routine flight operations. Aerial photography of the incident, as well as video recorded by sailors on board the US ship, show the Vinogradov closing with the Chancellorsville in an aggressive manner and at high speed.
The incident occurred approximately fifteen minutes before noon today in the Philippine Sea, while the Chancellorsville was a steady course and speed while attempting to recover its helicopter. The Udaloy-class destroyer approached the US cruiser at flank speed, clearly displaying both a large wake and characteristic “rooster tail” of displaced water. The Chancellorsville was forced to conduct a crash stop followed by fully reversing her engines. There was no impact, though the ships came within approximately 50-100 feet of one another.
The incident occurred approximately fifteen minutes before noon today in the Philippine Sea, while the Chancellorsville was a steady course and speed while attempting to recover its helicopter. The Udaloy-class destroyer approached the US cruiser at flank speed, clearly displaying both a large wake and characteristic “rooster tail” of displaced water. The Chancellorsville was forced to conduct a crash stop followed by fully reversing her engines. There was no impact, though the ships came within approximately 50-100 feet of one another.
A statement released by the 7th Fleet Public Affairs Office said the following, “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.”
Russian state media immediately reported the event, blaming the Chancellorsville for making an erratic and sudden course change forcing the Admiral Vinogradov to make an emergency maneuver to avoid collision. The Russian Pacific fleet has apparently made a similar press release to 7th Fleet, decrying the actions of the Chancellorsville and her crew. At the time of reporting, a copy of this complaint could not be found.
According to TASS, “the Russian Pacific Fleet’s press service reported that the incident occurred at 6.35 a.m. Moscow Time in the southeastern part of the East China Sea, when a task force of the Russian Pacific Fleet and a US carrier strike group were heading in parallel directions. The US cruiser Chancellorsville suddenly changed its course and crossed the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer’s course some 50 meters away from the ship. In order to prevent a collision, the Admiral Vinogradov’s crew was forced to conduct an emergency maneuver.”
Exact details are unclear at the time of reporting and will likely emerge in coming hours and days, however it seems fairly clear cut that this is another incident of Russian provocation of US ships operating legally. A similar incident occurred in 2016, and Russian combat aircraft routinely make unsafe passes by US maritime patrol aircraft in the Pacific and Baltic regions.