The U.S. military has stated that following the low-altitude flight of two Russian fighters over an American missile destroyer, it has requested an explanation from Russia. According to Reuters, an American official stated on Wednesday that two Russian Su-24s flew at least 11 times near the USS Donald Cook. This official also added that a Russian Ka-27 helicopter passed by the American destroyer seven times, taking photographs and videos. Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, said that this incident is completely contrary to military norms regarding movement in international waters and airspace. Reports indicate that the U.S. has labeled the actions of the Russian fighters as provocative. Meanwhile, some reports suggest that the two Su-24 fighters of the Russian Air Force were apparently unarmed during their flight over the American destroyer. An American official also told Reuters that the USS Donald Cook attempted to warn the two fighters in both Russian and English, but they did not heed the warnings. According to Reuters, this incident comes as NATO is preparing for a military exercise in Eastern Europe, said to be the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, viewed as a countermeasure against Russia. The U.S. European Command has announced that American officials are trying to convey their concerns to Russian officials through existing diplomatic channels. The U.S. Navy has also begun its own investigation into the matter.
Washington's Reaction to the Flight of Two Russian Fighters Over an American Destroyer
The U.S. military has expressed concern over two Russian Su-24 fighters flying low over the USS Donald Cook, labeling the incident as provocative. This occurs amid heightened tensions as NATO prepares for a significant military exercise in Eastern Europe, viewed as a counter to Russian actions.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Two Russian Su-24 fighter jets flew low over the USS Donald Cook, an American destroyer, prompting the U.S. military to request an explanation from Russia. The incident is seen as provocative and contrary to military norms.
- The Russian fighters flew at least 11 times near the USS Donald Cook.
- The incident occurred as NATO prepares for a large military exercise in Eastern Europe.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. and NATO have been increasingly concerned about Russian military activities, particularly in Eastern Europe, following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%