The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the passage of the USS John S McCain destroyer into Russia’s waters in the Peter the Great Gulf. In their statement, the ministry stated that it sees the US’s move as an open provocation aimed at violating peace and order in the waters.
It also said Russia reserves the right to retaliate against the incident.
The ministry added that any attempts by Washington to undermine Russia’s sovereignty in the water area are unacceptable.
The statement came after Russia’s Defence Ministry said that a US Navy destroyer had entered Russian territorial waters by two kilometres in the Sea of Japan.
The incident took place on Tuesday in the area of water bordered by Japan, Russia and the Koreas.
The Russian Pacific Fleet’s anti-submarine ship Admiral Vinogradov issued a warning to the US vessel reportedly causing it to sail into neutral waters.
In response to Russia, the US Seventh Fleet said the USS John McCain had not been “expelled” from any country.
The US military claimed the destroyer was carrying out an operation to ensure freedom of navigation.
They also said the US had not agreed that Peter the Great Bay was a “historical harbour” under international law.
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He added that the US would never “bow” in intimidation or be coerced by Russia.
The spokesman added: “The operation reflects our commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and lawful uses of the sea as a principle, and the United States will never bow in intimidation or be coerced into accepting illegitimate maritime claims, such as those made by the Russian Federation.
“Russia has continued the U.S.S.R. claim.
“By conducting this operation, the United States demonstrated that these waters are not Russia’s territorial sea and that the United States does not acquiesce in Russia’s claim that Peter the Great is a “historic bay” under international law.”
Last year, the Admiral Vinogradov was also involved in a near-collision with a US vessel in the East China Sea.
Both the US and Russia have blamed each other for the incident.
The two countries often accuse each other of conducting military operations at sea and in the air.
Relations between the US and Russia remain tense.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has still not congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden on his election victory.