Russian destroyer fires warning shots at Turkish fishing boat on collision course in Aegean

Russian destroyer fires warning shots at Turkish fishing boat on collision course in Aegean

A Russian destroyer had to open warning fire as a Turkish fishing vessel sailed on a collision course towards them and didn’t respond to calls from the warship, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. The incident happened in the northern part of the Aegean Sea some 12 nautical miles from the Greek island of Lemnos, the ministry said.

The crew of the Kashin-class guided missile destroyer Smetlivy spotted the Turkish fishing trawler some 1,000 meters from the Russian warship early on Sunday morning, the ministry said. The ship was sailing towards the destroyer and ignored calls for radio contact and other attempts to communicate.

When the Turkish vessel approached to about 600 meters, the Smetlivy opened small arms fire at a spot in front of the trawler, taking care to avoid any risk of hitting the Turkish ship itself, the report said.

Just when you think it's cooling down, something new comes up. Fortunately Russia did not shoot up the fishing boat, but what is with the problems with radio communication between Turks and Russians, first the SU 24 shotdown had warning messages that they didn't hear, now this fishing boat has warning messages that it doesn't hear (or just ignores)

Also a bigger question, what's to stop ISIS stealing Turkish boats and launching an attack on Russian ships to make it appear to be an attack from Turkey ? Or Turkey doing the same making it look like an ISIS attack ?

a reply to: Discotech

My vessels have unknowns on steady bearings well within 1000m meters - constantly. 99.9% of the time it's because I'm about to run over their livelihood, or it's drunk pricks wanting a closer look at "the really big boat" - they don't have the tech you and I would consider mandatory in these circumstances.

Vlads sailors over reacted. The Fishermen should have exercised more caution and observed COLREGS.

a reply to: Sublimecraft

Vlads sailors over reacted. The Fishermen should have exercised more caution and observed COLREGS.

I don't know, but I think US rules of engagement in these kind of situations are more strict, and that "turkish fishboat" would've been blown into sky already.

originally posted by: Sublimecraft
a reply to: Discotech

Vlads sailors over reacted. The Fishermen should have exercised more caution and observed COLREGS.

In what way did the Russian frigate over react? The Fishing boat was on a direct collision course, they had attempted to contact by radio, they had fired flares and at a final resort they fired warning shots in front of the boat. Their tension would be high considering Turkey had completely over reacted and shot down one of their jets for a 16 second incursion to their air space. In fact all things considered I believe the Russians acted correctly and with restraint.

a reply to: zilebeliveunknown

This occurred off Greece, and yanks were not involved. I am very close friends with US naval Commanders and Captains and I guarantee their reaction to a steady bearing would have gone something like this..meh...deploy the FRC, check it out....

there is a report on teh BBC about this as well giving slightly more information

In the latest incident, Russia's defence ministry said its frigate Smetlivy spotted the fishing boat when it was 1,000m (3,000ft) away heading towards the Russian vessel's starboard side.
"Despite numerous attempts by the crew of the Smetlivy, the crew of the Turkish fishing boat did not make radio contact and did not respond to visual signals by semaphore or warning flares," the ministry said in a statement.
To prevent a collision, "small arms were fired in the direction of the Turkish vessel from a range that is not lethal".
Russian military vessels are involved in Russia's intervention against rebels in Syria.

BBC

Just in case people dislike the RT news source

originally posted by: Sublimecraft

Vlads sailors over reacted. The Fishermen should have exercised more caution and observed COLREGS.

In peace times, yeah ...

Here, they are being cautious and let's hope they're more cautious than this ... in the current situation, a false flag with ISIS or Turks, to cause damage to a Russian frigate is more than possible.

What i want to know is, was this turkish trawler in greek waters? And with permission from the greek authorities? You know turks are known to violate greek waters & airspace.

a reply to: PrinceDreamer

To prevent a collision, "small arms were fired in the direction of the Turkish vessel from a range that is not lethal".

ask yourself......why didn't the Ruski's alter course?

You and I are engaged in propaganda so believe you me, we are on the same side in this argument and I would bet big $$ no-one was on the bridge/helm of the fishing boat and they strayed........nothing more, nothing less.

a reply to: Sublimecraft

Are your vessels near a war zone though ?

I could understand it being an over reaction in the North sea, or the Bering Straights. But fairly close to a war zone with tensions already pretty high, from a boat whose nation just last month shot down one of your own. I'd say it's a pretty calm reaction to not just shoot first, ask questions later from the Russian vessel.

I can understand the Turkish fishermen may not have known it was a Russian vessel (you'd think they'd spot the flag though?) but they were pretty stupid to keep sailing on course for it until the warning shots

a reply to: Sublimecraft

I am not trying to pick a fight with you in any way, I am not a navel person, my question was genuine. My point being due to current circumstances and the tension between Russia and Turkey I felt their actions were not a step to far, I actually thought there was restraint there as I am sure Russia would love to give Turkey a "Justified" bloody nose, something I hope they do refrain from.

ask yourself......why didn't the Ruski's alter course?

They may have been at anchor

Storm in a tea cup don’t you think?

Unidentified boat goes near warship, warship fire warning shot. Unidentified craft backs off.
No one gets hurts.

Sisters and brothers from other mothers - I feel you are misinterpreting my stance here.

I will give credence where it is due, I am merely articulating "vessels on steady bearings" from my own experience, inasfar as he who is guilty should be punished.

For Vlad to unleash a few warning shots suggests it's more than a drunk fisherman at the helm.....maybe

To be brutally honest im more shocked a Russian warships in the news for something other than sinking!

Let me guess in 24 hours the stress of firing it guns causes a breach in the hull and it sinks....

a reply to: Sublimecraft

i think your wrong if warning flares where fired according to the bbc and still ignored then something was a foot.
seems more likely turkey are still trying to rock the boat

Any form of transportation can, has, and will be used as a weapon. Being a civilian vehicle, doesn't make it an exception. Any type can be considered a threat. I can't imagine any military vessel would have not taken at least the same actions, if not more. In a war torn area, civilians must be especially careful. Waiting for the bomb to go "boom" before declaring it a threat is foolhardy.

originally posted by: Sublimecraft
a reply to: zilebeliveunknown

This occurred off Greece, and yanks were not involved. I am very close friends with US naval Commanders and Captains and I guarantee their reaction to a steady bearing would have gone something like this..meh...deploy the FRC, check it out....

FRC would that be a RIB?

a reply to: zilebeliveunknown

I don't know, but I think US rules of engagement in these kind of situations are more strict, and that "turkish fishboat" would've been blown into sky already.

Are you prepared to cite the US Navy's Uniform Code to support this? Or are you simply making a gratuitous Anti-American statement?

Anyone remember the USS Cole and the damage it endured from a small bomb carrying motor boat ? Maybe a few well directed shots would have prevented loss of life but they were totally caught off guard. As far as I am concerned Russia used restraint and the Turks are lucky they are not fish food.
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a reply to: 727Sky

So now the invincible Russian Navy is afraid of fishing boats?