Incidents in Soviet waters USS Caron

on 13 march 1986, in unprecedented move, caron , yorktown entered soviet territorial waters south of crimean peninsula, prompted soviet diplomatic protest. administration officials claimed exercise of right of innocent passage , although pentagon officials readily confirmed 1 purpose of exercise collect intelligence.

in february 1988, caron, again operating yorktown, entered soviet 12 miles (19 km) territorial waters limit in black sea off crimean peninsula. under international law, act permissible if ship progressing 1 point in international waters point in international waters via shortest course possible, according soviet union, right of ussr authorize or prohibit travel in selected areas within 12 mile limit. united states did not recognize soviet claim in case. prevent becoming accepted precedent, navy claimed had sailed warships through such areas @ regular intervals in past in accordance established international law.

in response, soviets deployed frigate bezzavetnyy (rus.: Беззаветный , burevestnik m-class frigate) , skr-6 (rus.: cКР-6) mirka ii class light frigate many other soviet navy, coast guard, kgb , civilian ships intercept u.s. ships. soviet aircraft continuously buzzed caron , yorktown smaller vessels weaved , fro in front of american ships. several times, soviet vessels , aircraft obtained radar lock on caron , yorktown. both american ships maintained constant course , speed throughout incident. eventually, soviets lightly rammed both ships. no significant damage resulted of ships involved.