Video: Russian Fighter Jets Make Dangerous, Simulated Attacks on US Destroyer

A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft makes a very-low altitude pass by the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) April 12, 2016. Donald Cook, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, forward deployed to Rota, Spain is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy 6th Fleet photo/Released)

Russian jets and an attack helicopter were caught on video making simulated attacks over U.S. Navy destroyer “Donald Cook” in the Baltic Sea, starting on April 11 and continuing on April 12.

U.S. European Command released videos and images of the aggressive maneuvers on April 13, noting in a press release that one of the passes was deemed “unsafe by the ship’s commanding officer,” and as a safety precaution, the ship suspended flight operations until the Russian jets left the area.

Two Russian SU-24 jets made their maneuvers on April 11, and on the following day, a Russian KA-27 Helix helicopter circled the ship seven times at low altitude. Then, two Russian jets again made “unsafe and unprofessional” passes over the ship.

During the incident on April 12, the jets ignored “repeated safety advisories in both English and Russian,” as they made 11 “close-range and low altitude passes,” according to the release.

It says the Russian aircraft “flew in a simulated attack profile.”

A Russian Kamov KA-27 Helix closely surveils the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) while the ship was operating in international waters April 12, 2016. Donald Cook is forward deployed to Rota, Spain, and is conducting routine patrols in the U.S. 6 th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy 6th Fleet photo/Released)

“We have deep concerns about the unsafe and unprofessional Russian flight maneuvers,” states the release. “These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries, and could result in a miscalculation or accident that could cause serious injury or death.”

The U.S. Navy is currently reviewing the incidents, and U.S. officials are addressing the incident with Russia through diplomatic channels.

The three other videos released by U.S. European Command can be seen below: