Although the United States denied, last Saturday, the implementation of Military operations in Russian territorial watersOn Monday, the Russian Interfax news agency quoted a senior Russian military official as saying that Moscow was ready to open fire on any foreign ships or submarines illegally entering its territorial waters.
The official emphasized that any such decision would only be taken at the “highest levels”.
A showdown at sea?!
This came following Moscow confirmed that a Russian warship had chased an American submarine in Russian waters in the Pacific Ocean a few days ago.
In its statement, it said that a Russian destroyer of the Pacific Fleet expelled the American nuclear submarine “Virginia” outside its territorial waters off the Kuril Islands.
According to a statement issued by the Russian Defense Ministry, the accident occurred on Saturday morning, noting that Russian destroyer “Marshall Shaposhnikov” broadcast an underwater message ordering the American submarine to “rise to the surface”.
After its refusal, the destroyer used unspecified means to force the submarine to leave Russian territorial waters as quickly as possible, according to the Russian statement.
Tensions over Ukraine
It is noteworthy that the tension between America and Russia has reached its highest levels due to the Ukrainian crisis and the threat of an imminent invasion of Moscow.
The issue of Ukraine’s accession to NATO is one of the most important reasons for disturbing Moscow, which prompted it during the last period to mobilize thousands of soldiers on the border with its neighbor, which angered America and the West.
Kiev adheres to this point, and considers it vital. Today, a spokesman for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that the efforts to join the Atlantic and the European Union are stipulated in the country’s constitution, and will remain an absolute priority.
military crowds
It is noteworthy that for months, Washington has accused Moscow of mobilizing more than 100,000 soldiers on the border, which heralds an imminent invasion of Ukrainian territory.
While the Russians deny these accusations, considering the American warnings as “hysteria,” calling at the same time to provide security guarantees that allay their fears, including the refusal of Ukraine to join NATO, and a halt to the alliance’s expansion to the east, which the latter rejects.
