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Kerry says Navy ship could have fired on Russian planes
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In this image released by the US Navy, a Russian SU-24 jet makes a close-range and low altitude pass near the USS Donald Cook on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, in the Baltic Sea. The Russian attack planes buzzed the U.S. Navy destroyer multiple times on Monday and Tuesday, at one point coming so close, an estimated 30 feet, that they created wakes in the water around the ship, a US official said Wednesday, April 13. (US Navy via AP) (USNavy via AP/-)
U
nder US military rules of engagement, the Navy ship that Russian military jets buzzed in the Baltic Sea this week could have opened fire, Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook reported that pairs of Russian Su-24 attack planes made numerous close-range passes on Monday and Tuesday. The planes appeared to be unarmed. On at least one occasion, an Su-24 came within an estimated 30 feet (9 meters) of the Cook, which was in international waters about 70 nautical miles from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
The Cook did not respond except to unsuccessfully query the Russian pilots by radio.
In remarks to CNN Espanol, Kerry condemned the Russian actions and said that "under the rules of engagement" it "could have been a shoot-down."
In all cases, a military commander has the authority to defend his or her ship, plane or other unit. The commander is expected to use his or her best judgment to determine whether the ship faces an imminent threat.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the US has raised its concerns through its military defense representative at the US Embassy in Moscow. (bbn)
