USS Caron getting rammed by the Russians in the Black Sea - Feb 1988

In February 1988, Caron operating with Yorktown, entered Soviet 7 miles ) territorial waters limit in the Black Sea off the Crimean Peninsula. Under international law, this act could be permissible if the ship was progressing from one point in international waters to another point in international waters via the shortest course possible, but according to the Soviet Union, it was the right of the USSR to authorize or prohibit travel in selected areas within the 12 mile limit. The United States however did not recognize the Soviet's claim in this case. To prevent it from becoming accepted precedent, the US Navy claimed that it had sailed warships through such areas at regular intervals in the past, although no reference was provided.
On this occasion, Caron had onboard a ships signal exploitation spaces system, operated by a crew of 18 in support of the U.S. National Security Agency. This system was capable of recording data on Soviet defense radars and communications.
In response, the Soviets deployed a destroyer and a Mirka II class light frigate as well as many other Soviet Navy, Coast Guard, KGB and "civilian" ships to intercept the U.S. ships. Soviet aircraft continuously buzzed the Caron and Yorktown as smaller vessels weaved to and fro in front of the American ships. Several times, Soviet vessels and aircraft obtained radar "lock" on the Caron and Yorktown. Both American ships maintained a constant course and speed throughout the incident. Eventually, the Soviets lightly rammed both ships. No significant damage resulted to any of the ships involved.


Also check out the video from the USS Yorktown at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SME4w037FgA

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• 1988
• Russians
• ram
• US
• Naval
• Ships
• military
• warfare

[bombarderoazul]

that's a small russian ship, looks like a corvette. and the american ship is much larger. What were the americans doing in soviet home waters anyway? i don't think russians ever came to the gulf of mexico to annoy american naval forces, why did the us navy have a hostile policy of entering other countries home waters.

[surdinkalol]

@Pupil0fGod its a not war, and no winer - russian coast guard defend country... if us-cruiser shuting them, they called on base and support quickly destroy this cruiser. Its a us-provocation, In time Cold war USSR and USA everyday maked provocation

[TigerDude333]

Nice attempt to put a hole in the US vessel by letting the anchor out a bit.

[UkrainianHistVideo1]

кацапская сволочь! привет вам и3 маями! 3найте! вам долко не протянуть! конец вам скоро будет! смерть москалям!

[transonicbuoy]

Any vessels that play such music deserve to get struck.

[lardman2228]

Looks like if any damage was done, it would have been to the soviet ship anyway :P

[conor12231]

So they were right to do that, the US ship shouldnt have been in Russian waters.

[everhardable]

@bombarderoazul....00 good on you for saying that and god bless you ....but what were the yanks doing there in the first place  they r away from yanky land are they not ?? ....maybe the smelled oil ....cherrs mate

[graylab2]

@bombarderoazul Is Cuba not in the gulf of Mexico, you remember when Kennedy made Kruschkev take the missiles back that he was setting up in 1963 or '64, I think.

Or perhaps that doesn't count?

[felix2792]

What song is this?? - chorus is like, viva ussr

[memadmax69]

Its what they call a love tap...



[Hurqq]

This is like a fight between two boxers who aren't allowed to use their hands.