US says Russian vessel 'aggressively approached' ship

WASHINGTON

A Russian Navy ship "aggressively approached" a U.S. Navy Destroyer in the North Arabian Sea, the U.S. Fifth Fleet said Friday.

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

The fleet posted video of the incident to Twitter, which appears to show the Russian ship pulling up alongside the USS Farragut on Thursday with the Farragut then sounding five short air horn blasts, the international maritime signal for danger of collision.

The Russian ship appears to then sound one horn blast before coming up behind the Farragut and following closely behind.

"The Russian ship initially refused but ultimately altered course and the two ships opened distance from one another," the fleet said in a series of tweets. "While the Russian ship took action, the initial delay in complying with international rules while it was making an aggressive approach increased the risk of collision."

The incident is just the latest of naval and aerial encounters between the U.S. and Russian militaries.