Flying a Russian Su-24 fighter near the American destroyer Donald Cook in the Black Sea is “normal practice.” This was stated by the former commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Vladimir Komoedov. His words are reported by Interfax.
“The Americans are in neutral waters, and our plane was in neutral airspace. No violations. Normal practice. We fly in neutral airspace as we wish. As for the low altitude, look at the skill of our pilots, ”the admiral commented. He also noted that “the Americans in the Black Sea are uninvited guests.”
Komoedov stressed that the US military could violate the Montreux Convention due to the displacement of the ships. “There have already gathered three American ships with a displacement more than the convention stipulates. The Americans are violating, and we will tickle their nerves, ”he added.
Earlier, the flight of a Russian fighter near a US destroyer was captured on video.
On January 23, it was reported that the American warship Donald Cook entered the Black Sea. The destroyer was taken for escort by the forces and means of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. On the evening of January 28, the US Navy destroyer Porter joined him. NATO explained the appearance of these destroyers by Russia's “military build-up”.
