Two weekends ago, the US sent a guided-missile destroyer, the USS Ross (DDG 71), to the Black Sea–that body of water adjacent to the Russian, Georgian, and Ukrainian nations–in an effort to promote “peace and prosperity throughout the region,” according to the ship’s commander.
Over this last weekend, Russia responded to the American presence by sending out Su-24 military aircraft to intercept the destroyer, claiming the jets forced the US naval ship that was “acting provocatively and aggressively” to change course and retreat.
From the report by Sputnik News:
Russian Navy Su-24 jets forced US Navy destroyer USS Ross to go into neutral waters in the Black Sea, a source in Crimea’s security forces told RIA Novosti.
The US Navy ship was noticed heading directly toward Russian waters after leaving the Romanian port of Costanta. The incident comes on the same day as fugitive Georgian ex-leader Mikheil Saakashvili’s appointment as governor of Ukraine’s Black Sea-bordering Odessa region.
“The ship’s crew acted provocatively and aggressively, which caused alarm among operators of monitoring stations and Black Sea Fleet ships carrying out assignments in the Black Sea. Scrambled Su-24 attack jets demonstrated a readiness to forcibly suppress border violations and defend the country’s interest,” the source said.
The US military denies the claim that it was doing anything unusual and says it was “performing routine operations” in the region. Here is the statement from the US Navy over the incidental non-incident:
USS Ross (DDG 71), forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on a routine patrol conducting naval operations with allies and partners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in order to advance security and stability in the Black Sea region.
Ross observed the routine flights of SU-24 aircraft and had no interaction while both operated in international waters. Ross continued on her mission after observing the aircraft return to base. At no time did Ross act aggressively nor did she deviate from her planned operations. The conduct of her crew has been and continues to be professional.
The U.S. Navy operates ships in the Black Sea on a routine basis, consistent with the Montreux Convention and International Law.
Video released on the “Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet” YouTube channel apparently shows one of the Su-24 fighters doing a fly-by past the USS Ross:
Per the video’s description, “Ross continued on her mission after observing the aircraft return to base. At no time did Ross act aggressively nor did she deviate from her planned operations. The conduct of her crew has been and continues to be professional. Ross’ Sailors observed that the SU 24 carried no weapons – wings were ‘clean.'”
This all means nothing, folks, really. Just relax. Just a normal international nodding of the heads between old friends with whom we’ve reset relations in our Era of Hopenchange™. It’s nothing that should concern any of our pretty little heads.
Peace…in our time.
