No aggressive maneuvers by the VVS SU-24s on the Baltic. The spokesman from the Russian Defense Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, responds to the complaint disclosed yesterday by the Pentagon regarding the two fighters in 'low flight' on the destroyer 'Donald Cook', engaged in an exercise in the neutral waters of the Baltic.
"The crews of the Russian Su-24 fighters observed all safety measures (...) After sighting the ship, the Russian pilots made a flight reversal in compliance with all safety measures".
General Konashenkov states (and this would justify the 'two' steps.) "Frankly, I don't understand the reason for such an impatient reaction from our American partners. Near the Russian naval base of the Baltic Fleet the principle of freedom of navigation of the American destroyer does not negate the principle of freedom of overflight of Russian aircraft".
