ISLAMABAD – Russian and the United States of America armed forces have beeninvolved in a series of interceptions and counter-interceptions in the lastfew days. Russian Pacific Fleet on Friday accused a guided-missile cruiserof US Carrier Strike Group 5 under the 7th Fleet of performing a dangerousmanoeuvre and obstructing the passage of its anti-submarine destroyerAdmiral Nikolai Ignatevich Vinogradov in southeastern East China Sea.

The incident comes just three days after the US alleged that a RussianSukhoi Su-35C fighter intercepted its P-8A Poseidon aircraftlinkininternational airspace over the Mediterranean Sea.

The face-off between the Russian and American warships took place at 6:35am Friday Moscow time (9:05 am Friday, in India). According to the RussianPacific Fleet, the US guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville of the USCarrier Strike Group 5 under the 7th Fleet came 50 metres in front ofAdmiral Nikolai Ignatevich Vinogradov in South China sea, forcing itswarship to perform a dangerous manoeuvre to avoid a collision.

Both the Russian warship and US Carrier Strike Group 5 were reportedlyheading in parallel directions when the incident took place.

“The US cruiser Chancellorsville suddenly changed its course and crossedthe Admiral Vinogradov destroyer’s course some 50 meters away from theship. In order to prevent a collision, the Admiral Vinogradov’s crew wasforced to conduct an emergency manoeuvre,” the Russian Pacific Fleet pressservice said.

It added that the Russian fleet protested to the US vessel’s command,pointing out that manoeuvres were not acceptable.