Pentagon accuses Russia of unsafe activity near US destroyer in Black Sea

The United States is concerned about the incidents with Russian aircraft flying near the US destroyer in the Black Sea in February, US Defense Department spokesperson Michelle Baldanza said.

Baldanza noted that a number of incidents involving USS Porter occurred on February 10, while the ship was patrolling international waters in the Black Sea following the Sea Shield trials.

"Several incidents by multiple Russian aircraft in the Black Sea near the destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) on Feb. 10 were assessed by the ship's commanding officer as unsafe and unprofessional. Such incidents are concerning because they can result in accident or miscalculation," Sputnik cited her as saying.

Baldanza explained that the US destroyer queried all Russian aircraft, but did not receive any answer.

"The Russian aircraft did not have their transponders on," Baldanza added.

The spokesperson also pointed out that the US destroyer was conducting routine maritime operations in international waters in the Black Sea after it concluded Exercise Sea Shield.