The Pentagon said that the US submarine did not enter the territorial waters of Russia
Photo: Jason Reed / Reuters
The Pentagon denied the information that the U.S. Navy Virginia-class submarine was in Russian territorial waters. The department said that American submarines move exclusively in international waters and do not enter Russian territory. This is stated in a statement by the press secretary of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Kyle Reines, the text is quoted by RIA Novosti.
There is no truth in the statements of the Russian side about our operations in their territorial waters. I won't comment on the specific location of our submarines, but we fly, sail and operate safely in international waters.
Kyle Reinespress Secretary, US Indo-Pacific Command
U.S. submarine
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that at 10:40 a.m., a US Navy submarine of the Virginia type was discovered in the area of a planned exercise of the Pacific Fleet forces in the territorial waters of Russia. She was spotted in the area of the exercises of the Pacific Fleet near the Kuril island of Urup. The crew was given a message in Russian and English to immediately leave the territorial waters of Russia.
You are in the territorial waters of Russia. Ascend immediately!
Pacific Fleet
The American submarine ignored the request, and in accordance with the guidelines for underwater border protection, the crew of the Russian frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov used “appropriate means.” As a result, the US submarine used a self-propelled simulator to split the target on radar and acoustic control means and left at maximum speed.
In connection with this incident, the Russian military handed a note of protest to the US military attache and stated the need to exclude such situations, noting that the actions of the US Navy created a threat to Russia's national security.
The representative of the US Department of Defense was informed that the actions of the American submarine are regarded as a gross violation of international law
Ministry of Defence
USA comment
At first, the United States refused to confirm information about the situation with the submarine. The department assured that it is aware of media reports about the alleged maritime incident, but at the moment they cannot confirm these details.
However, a few hours later, after a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American leader Joe Biden, the Pentagon began to completely deny the possibility of a US submarine entering the territory of the Kuriles. At the same time, as the assistant to the Russian leader Yuri Ushakov noted, the heads of the two countries did not touch upon the subject of the incident with the submarine during the negotiations.
Ministry of Defense exercises
The Russian military these days are conducting large-scale exercises throughout the country. In particular, more than 30 ships of the Black Sea Fleet put to sea from Sevastopol and Novorossiysk during the exercises taking place as part of large-scale maneuvers of the Russian Navy. In addition, the exercises will be held in the northeastern part of the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. In total, more than 140 ships, more than 60 aircraft, one thousand pieces of equipment and about 10 thousand military personnel will take part in them.
As former Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ordzhonikidze noted, the appearance of cruisers is part of Russia's military-technical response to NATO. He clarified that such events are designed to show the alliance that Russia can take effective military measures in response to any of its actions.
