“Not war times!” was the response of a Russian admiral to the sangfroid attitude of Russian naval servicemen who were able to stay calm in the face of a potentially disastrous run-in with a US naval cruiser.
Former chief of staff of the Russian Navy (1991-1996), Admiral Valentin Selivanov spoke to the Russian media, giving his assessment of the actions of the crew members of the Russian anti-submarine ship Admiral Vinogradov during the dangerous near-collision incident with the USS Chancellorsville cruiser in the East China Sea.
“There is a time for war, and a time for sunbathing,” responded the Admiral.
After all, claims the Admiral, they are not at war.
“Sure, if one was sunbathing, then dozens were.”
“And yes, you have to be undressed to sunbathe.”
According to Selivanov, a part of the crew is justified in taking a break and resting while the vessel is en route. After all, these are not times of war, summed up Admiral Valentin Selivanov.
The first video of the encounter between the Russian Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Vinogradov and the USS Chancellorsville cruiser appeared online on 7 June.
The footage shows what appeared to be several Russian sailors sunbathing on the destroyer's helicopter pad amid what was called an “unsafe approach” by the US Navy that nearly resulted in a collision.
The sailors, however, seemed quite composed, as one of them looked like he was relaxing in a sun lounger naked while two others were working on their tans shirtless.
READ MORE: First VIDEO, PHOTO of Near-Collision Between US and Russian Warships in East China Sea Released
Subsequently both sides blamed each other for causing the potentially dangerous situation at sea.
The US Seventh Fleet denied Russia’s version of events, blaming the Russian vessel for nearly causing a collision.