Russian bomber simulated an attack on a US destroyer in the Black Sea
The Russian Su-24 bomber flew close to the American destroyer Donald Cook, which has been in the Black Sea since January 23 as part of the build-up of the US presence in the region to “contain” Moscow after the reunification of Crimea with the Russian Federation.
The video was published on the official Twitter account of the US Navy's Sixth Fleet, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“We are working in the Black Sea to reassure allies and NATO partners and ensure security and stability in the region. Today, Donald Cook operates in international waters in the Black Sea, and a Russian SU-24 makes a low pass nearby,” the Americans commented.
“We operate in an incredibly complex security environment that requires high-level cooperation and a commitment to regional stability,” the page added, citing words from the commander of the US Sixth Fleet, Vice Admiral Gene Black.
It’s interesting that Americans comment on the video on their Twitter page with bellicose remarks: “an easy target,” “a lame air show.”
“What a nice way to stay motivated by staying local and focused on the mission, such a cute little Russian airplane,” one user wrote.
“I hope we flew an F-4 Phantom over one of their ships!” – dreams another American subscriber.
In fact, the appearance of a bomber near an American destroyer is an alarming signal for uninvited guests, a Black Sea Fleet officer explained to PolitNavigator.
“The Black Sea was previously called the Russian Sea. If there might have been doubts about this before 2014, then after this it became obvious.
The SU-24 approached the target from the stern, this is how they practice bombing and launching missile attacks on their ships. In this case, the ship is not its own, so the plane made an approach on a course parallel to the ship’s course. Exclusively so as not to violate international law in relation to a foreign warship.
In the practice of using aviation against ships, as a rule, no one plays giveaway; it is always a duel, and there are no easy targets in a combat situation. In reality, in a battle, electronic jamming means will be used on the ship, and then it, blind and deaf, will become prey to aviation or coastal missile systems.
This already happened in the Black Sea in 2014; figuratively speaking, they already showed once how a mousetrap slams shut. In this case, the SU-24 pilot showed with his flight that he, albeit conditionally, had already completed his task,” explained the Russian officer.
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