How Soviet patrol ships rammed American warships off the coast of Crimea (photo, video). Sea ram of a Soviet patrol boat into the side of an American cruiser That very moment

Ramming carried out on February 12, 1988 in Soviet territorial waters of the Black Sea.
From a series of deliberately erased glorious pages from the history of the Soviet armed forces.

Preface
A story about Gorbachev’s lackeyness before the Americans and about the latter’s next attempt Soviet authorities"to cover up" the glorious pages of Soviet modern history.

Bogdashin's sea ram

On October 13 of this year, May, the Black Sea Fleet turns 225 years old. Despite the resistance of official Ukraine, Sevastopol is celebrating. Because even with a strong desire, history cannot be rewritten as long as there are living witnesses to it. While there are people who have given themselves to her completely. There are thousands of them in the navy. And there has always been a place for heroism here. Even in peacetime. In March 1986, two American ships, the Caron and the Yorktown, entered territorial waters Soviet Union. The prestige of a super-powerful military power has collapsed. On February 13, 1988, the Americans, believing in their impunity, repeated the provocation. And they received a rebuff. In order not to spoil relations with the United States, the leadership of the Union tried to “forget” this story, although the actions of the Soviet sailors that day cannot be called anything other than a feat. On the eve of the 225th anniversary Black Sea Fleet we met with the commander of the TFR "Selfless", now a rear admiral, Vladimir Ivanovich BOGDASHIN.

- Vladimir Ivanovich, why did the Americans need this? The iron curtain has fallen, it's cold The war is over, perestroika has begun in the Union...

And chaos. You see, in 1986, when the Americans entered our territorial waters for the first time, there were no visible actions from the Soviet side other than protest. But the Ministry of Defense has developed a special program: before navy The task was set to prevent such incursions from happening again.

As far as I know, the Americans then stated that they have the right of peaceful passage through the territorial waters of other states.

They lied blatantly. Yes, there is a similar practice all over the world to shorten the journey. But then you need to notify the country whose border you are going to cross. Without warning, a warship of another state can enter only if it is in distress or there is a threat to the lives of crew members. Nothing like this happened to the Americans. They spent about two days off the coast of Turkey, later conducted exercises on the high seas, and then approached our border.

- Did you find them right away?

You see, we always met warships of foreign countries at the Bosporus and “led” them, we were constantly in touch with them. The Americans immediately behaved incorrectly. They entered the Black Sea in complete radio silence; we could not detect them. Even reconnaissance planes did not see them - that day there was complete fog. Then the ferry from Ilyichevsk helped a lot. We contacted the captain and asked him to give us a signal if they met ships with certain hull numbers. As soon as we received this signal, we calmed down, but the Americans began to rush about. For several hours they tried to “unhook” from us.

- Do you want to say that you were saved by chance?

On the part of the Americans, this provocation was prepared very seriously. They thought of everything. Except for the ferry (laughs). Their ships were equipped the latest technology and weapons, the Yorktown cruiser didn’t even have rotating antennas - instead there were special phased arrays. But we didn’t go out on boats either.

- What then prevented it?

Rustovsky ambitions. After all, when the German pilot-athlete Rust landed his plane on Red Square, such a stain fell on all military personnel, without exception! They blamed everyone - aviation, air defense, navy. We received an order from Army General Tretyak that as soon as the helicopter took off from their ship, shoot it down. Can you imagine this intensity of passion? We understood perfectly well that it was impossible to shoot down. Because the helicopter could fly over the open sea without violating the border. And then our actions will be regarded as an attack, a violation of all international rules. So when we discovered them, we had no choice but to wait. But when they approached our terrorist waters in the Sevastopol area and set a course of 90 degrees, it became clear that in an hour they would be with us.

- How far did the Americans go into Soviet territorial waters?

“Yorktown” is five miles, “Caron” is seven. This just happened in the area of Cape Sarych - the southernmost point of the Crimean peninsula.

- When you realized that a boundary violation was inevitable, what was your first thought?

I immediately conveyed to the command that in an hour the American ships would cross our border.

- But what was it - fear, panic?

Anger. Such anger! But there was no reason to panic. At that moment I acted automatically, because all actions in such a situation were worked out to the smallest detail. In 1988, I had already been the commander of “Selfless” for five years. This is one of our best ships, I have 192 people, the strongest crew in the Union, and I have enormous experience behind me. We spent two and a half years in combat service in Atlantic Ocean and in the Mediterranean Sea, carried out combat and practiced course tasks. And during this time they saw everything - they burned, they drowned, and they carried out political missions. "Selfless" was one of the most powerful ships in the world in terms of the number of weapons per displacement volume. Upgraded missile strike system, two anti-aircraft missile systems self-defense, automatic double-barreled artillery installation, two four-tube torpedo tubes, rocket launchers. And that's not all.

- If it weren't for such serious preparation, what could the results be?

Catastrophic. As we began to approach the Yorktown, the ship was on alert. Weapons were loaded, bomb throwers, torpedo tubes were activated, into cylinders high pressure the air was full (for launching torpedoes), the artillery stock was on the loading line.

- What about the Americans?

They didn't prepare. They were in a very light, very interesting mood. They poured out onto the deck to watch: what would this small Russian ship, which was three times smaller than their colossus, do? They waved their hands, pointed at us, and chuckled. Among them were participants from the previous campaign; they did not expect active actions from us.

- How did the crew of your ship react?

We were in suspense because we understood that this time protests expressed by flags on board would not be enough. Everything happened so quickly that there was no question of even brushing your teeth and shaving. I didn’t see it myself, but we were told that when the Americans showed the videotape, our crew looked like polar explorers who went out to catch a seal - unshaven, angry, wearing Canadian boots (laughs).

- That is, the enemy did not expect a ram?

No. Yes, at first there was no talk of ramming. We decided to push back with a light tangential blow. But the speed was enormous. And at 18 knots there is a very strong attraction and air flow. When we struck for the first time, the bow began to move away and the stern began to move closer to its stern. At their stern rocket launchers"Harpoon", we have torpedo launchers on board. If the Americans' "Harpoons" had torn off our torpedo tubes, it would have been a disaster. The combustion temperature of an ampoule battery is more than 1000 degrees; it would, like welding, melt everything underneath it. Fire, detonation, volumetric explosion. If only there was smoke left from both of us! That's when the Americans got scared!

- They say the fire started after all?

On ships - no. But the first blow caused sparks to fly and the paint to catch fire. It flared up and a huge cloud of smoke went out. The border ships reported to the shore that there had been an explosion and a fire on the ship. This came as a shock. We saw that our railing was torn off (the fence on board the ship - author's note), the anchor broke - not the worst thing. But in order to prevent the failure of the rocket launchers, a decision had to be made in a few seconds. The command was full forward, the rudder was turned to the right, the second blow, the speed was 26 knots, a 17-degree list, our stern rose and... The “Selfless” climbed onto the American ship with its bottom. On the bottom we had a titanium bulb containing the antennas of the hydroacoustic station. And this bulb on the Yorktown swept away everything. We swept away the fence of the helipad, the command boat, and the torpedo tube from the left side, and broke four missile launchers. The Americans began to panic. Their second ship pulled up to them. So they went: “Selfless” in the center, “Yorktown” on the right, “Caron” on the left, we brought them to the border, then we increased our speed, turned around and returned to base. And the Americans, what we didn’t break, cut it off with welding and threw it overboard, so as not to disgrace ourselves in front of the world. Our people also joked: “As a result of the actions taken, I can report: on American ships there is a lot of welding, they weld day and night.”

- How were your actions on shore assessed?

They called him a criminal. For losing the anchor. In the navy this is considered a disgrace. How are we doing? Just in case, you need to scold him. Time will tell how things will turn out later, but to be on the safe side, we need to get there. In a few hours I wrote a lot of explanatory notes, then they called me to Moscow. They didn’t particularly praise him, but they didn’t put him in prison - and that’s good.

- Could it be so?

Easily. You see, the Soviet Union was flirting with the Americans at that time; our international relations did not want to spoil relations. Therefore, I could have been handed over to them - put on trial and imprisoned.

- For what?

Technically, I broke the rules. There are them at sea too. I had to give way to him. I didn’t have time for maneuvers, but who would take that into account?

-Vladimir Ivanovich, do you want to say that not only were you not awarded, but they also wanted to accuse you?

I was awarded. A year later, when I was studying at the Naval Academy in Leningrad, I was awarded the Order of the Red Star. Like, you know why, but we won’t talk about it. Hence the wording - “For the development of new technology.”

- Aren't you offended?

You know, the most important thing in a sailor’s life is to believe in your fortune. I always believed. And he always loved his hardest service. Time has shown: then I was absolutely right. This case is described in American textbooks; psychologists studied our actions in order to teach the American military the rules of behavior in similar situations. And we tried to forget everything. Not even to forget, but to erase it from history. It was as if nothing had happened.

- Is that why you left the navy?

I left only a year ago, I gave 37 years of my life to the sea. And even now I can’t live without the sea.

- Does it matter to you what kind of sea it is?

Only Black. It's the best. No Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey... Believe me, I know this for sure.

-Vladimir Ivanovich, what would you wish for our youth?

I was named after my uncle. He was 21 years old, he commanded a reconnaissance platoon and died near Sumy. We were raised by the generation that won the most terrible war. Low bow to them for this. And happy Victory Day! But the trouble is that we were not taught to remember. After all, on May 9 we cry, hug, congratulate everyone, and already on the 12th veterans cry because they are forgotten. We live from holiday to holiday, from May to May. Therefore, I would like, firstly, that our children do not forget anything. And secondly, they were happy. Because only a happy person can understand how hard this happiness came to him...

The case discussed below is a rather rare, although essentially the last example of a bygone era of Soviet-American confrontation on the seas and oceans, which lasted for more than one year and more than one decade. As a matter of fact, this was a rather unique example of its kind in using modern warships without the use of weapons, i.e. by attacking the ship of the opposing party.

According to the definition of the maritime explanatory dictionary, a pileup is a contact of ships, resulting from errors in movement calculations. Unlike a collision, damage from a rollover is usually minimal. Naval was widely used in ancient times. Then, following the attack on the enemy ship, a boarding party landed on its deck and the outcome of the battle was decided in close combat.

We will talk about the displacement of American ships by Soviet warships from an area considered to be territorial waters of the USSR. This happened on the Black Sea in the area between Yalta and Foros. The background to this case is as follows. The fact is that Soviet and American specialists had completely different approaches to where exactly the 12-mile zone of territorial waters should be measured from. The Americans adhered (and still adhere) to the point of view that the counting should be carried out from each point of the coastline. Soviet experts proceeded from the fact that the countdown should be carried out from the so-called. baseline. Difficulties arose with bays, etc. So, when a bay juts deep into the coast, inside of which there was a kind of “tongue” of neutral waters, foreign ships had the opportunity to freely conduct electronic reconnaissance. The Soviet approach to calculating the boundaries of territorial waters excluded such a possibility. In such cases, Soviet specialists counted territorial waters from a line connecting the entrance capes of such bays. Thus, according to the Soviet version, a “tongue” of neutral waters did not form in the bays. The Americans were not happy with this and they clearly demonstrated this more than once, both in the Black Sea and in the Far East, almost every year sending their warships to such zones to conduct electronic reconnaissance. At the same time, the American ships did not react in any way to the signals of the Soviet maritime border guards and passed into areas that were considered by the Soviet side to be their own territorial waters. They always did this demonstratively, entering Soviet territorial waters without any navigational need, motivating their actions by the existence of the right of “free passage.”

Naturally, such a striking difference in understanding the situation each time put the ships of both countries in a state of heightened combat readiness. Every time the overseas “guests” passing along the coast were accompanied by ships of the Soviet Navy, aviation and radar stations of the border guards and coastal defense. The fact is that, in fact, such passage was allowed along routes usually used for international shipping. This was done in accordance with the existing Code of Rules and Laws of the USSR, as well as international treaties of the USSR.

Similar areas included the area off the coast of Crimea with coordinates 440 North and 330 East. The Yankees especially frequented this area in the 80s, completely ignoring the fact that in Black Sea waters In the then USSR there simply was not a single route along which the specified right of free passage would exist.

The most defiant, according to the recollections of the last commander-in-chief of the USSR Navy, Fleet Admiral Vladimir Chernavin, was the Pentagon action on March 13, 1986. Then the missile cruiser Yorktown and the destroyer Caron entered territorial waters off the southern coast of Crimea for as much as 6 miles. Moreover, unlike all previous similar cases, this time the American ships sailed with all radars and radio-electronic equipment operating at full power. This meant that the territory of the country for several hundred kilometers was viewed and listened to by other people's electronic “ears.” And this completely contradicted even the right of free passage declared by the Americans, contrary to the requirements of international rules, according to which such areas must be passed with radio-electronic equipment turned off. Needless to say, any such action by foreign ships off the domestic coast introduced certain restrictions on the use of open means of communication, especially in Crimea. In addition, in Saki, at a ground-based test simulator for naval aviation (NITKA), specially built at the Navy air base, testing of new carrier-based aircraft intended for basing on the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser "Leonid Brezhnev" (later "Tbilisi", which was being built in Nikolaev) had just begun. "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov"). Testing of flight equipment was accompanied by the widespread use of various electronic systems, which were also tested at the ground complex. And in the Foros area, construction was underway on a dacha for the President of the USSR (it was there that the conspirators blocked M. Gorbachev in August 1991). Probably, at that time there were other circumstances that prompted the Americans to send their ships to the Crimean shores.

The Soviet Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Fleet Admiral Vdamimir Chernavin, closely monitored developments at sea and accepted the next challenge from the Americans in advance. He decided to fight back, and he intended to act by unconventional means, without resorting to forceful pressure and at the same time, quite effectively. True, for this he, as a military man, had to seek the consent of his immediate superior, the then Minister of Defense of the USSR, Marshal of the Soviet Union S. Sokolov. The admiral proposed to counteract them with active measures during the next “free passage” of ships under the Stars and Stripes flag. But in the Soviet Union nothing was done just like that. This was especially true for matters related to defense. The consent of party authorities was required. Therefore, Marshal Sokolov made a special report to the CPSU Central Committee, telling in detail “about measures in the event of further violations American ships territorial waters on the Black Sea." The report proposed to restrain the actions of intruder ships in every possible way, up to boarding them and forcing them out of the country's territorial waters. This was in mid-1986. Soon after this, Admiral Chernavin invited to the National Defense Council, chaired by M. Gorbachev. In the presence of Gorbachev, KGB Chairman Chebrikov, Foreign Minister Shevardnadze, Prime Minister Ryzhkov, Minister of Defense, Chief of the General Staff and commanders-in-chief of all branches of the military, the admiral spoke in detail about the essence of the problem and suggested that this kind of “small Politburo” teach the “presumptuous Yankees” a lesson. For greater clarity and clarity, Chernavin spoke about his idea of the bulk, citing an example with tanks, which was more understandable to the ground military leaders. Everyone liked the idea, but there was unity in terms of the form of implementation. nevertheless, it was not. According to the admiral’s recollections, Gorbachev personally put an end to this discussion, who himself approved the idea, at the same time recommending “to choose stronger ships.” He also asked Chernavin to provide in advance all measures to exclude casualties or injuries among ship personnel.

A direct consequence of the received directive was a specially developed directive from the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy to the commanders of the fleets in the North, the Pacific Ocean and the Black Sea to oust foreign intruder ships.

And then came February 1988. At the beginning of the month, it became known about the upcoming entry into the Black Sea of both “old acquaintances”, the missile cruiser Yorktown and the destroyer Caron from the US 6th Fleet. American ships, having passed through the Turkish straits, entered the Black Sea on February 12. They were immediately taken under surveillance by reconnaissance ships of the Black Sea Fleet. On the same day, Chernavin gave the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Mikhail Khronopulo, the order to act in accordance with the previously received directive.

Two were assigned to the operation patrol ship: "Selfless" (Project 1135, 1977) and SKR-6 (Project 35, 1963). In addition to them, the American ships were accompanied in the Black Sea by the border patrol ship "Izmail" and the reconnaissance ship "Yamal" (Project 596P, 1967). Each of them solved its own range of tasks, while the two TFRs of the Black Sea Fleet were to become the main force intended to suppress possible actions for violating the boundaries of the country's territorial waters.

According to the central command post (CCP) of the USSR Navy, the events in the area between Yalta and Foros, where the Americans eventually arrived, looked like this.
At 09.45, i.e. half an hour before the Americans were supposed to enter the Gulf of Foros, the Bezavetny was transmitted in clear text to the Yorktown: “Your course leads to crossing the territorial waters of the USSR.” I suggest you set course 110." The signal was left unanswered.

Then the chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet orders the commander of the "Selfless" to transmit to American cruiser the following warning on the radio: “According to existing Soviet laws, the right of innocent passage by foreign warships in this area is prohibited. In order to avoid an incident, I strongly recommend changing your course in order to prevent violation of the territorial waters of the USSR.”

At 10.15 a response came from the Yorktown: “I understand. I am not violating anything. I am acting in accordance with international rules.”

Then the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Khronopulo, intervened in the matter. By his order, "Selfless" transmits a warning to the American cruiser: Before entering the territorial waters of the USSR, 20 cables. In case of violation of territorial waters, I have the order to displace you until the collapse." At the same time, Khronopulo transmits the order to "Yamal" to be ready to carry out a dangerous maneuver. Of course, the "Yamal", which had ice reinforcements and thick plating, built in the hull of a timber carrier, to carry out Navala would be an ideal ship. But its 15-knot full speed left no hope of catching up with the Americans, even following the economic course, not to mention the fact that they could easily give 30 knots at full speed. The rest of the time, the Yamal. followed the rest of the ships and did not take any part in further events. Thus, only the faster TFRs had a real chance of carrying out a pile-up.

At 10.45 "Yorktown" again responds to "Selfless" with the standard phrase: "I will not change course. I am using the right of peaceful passage. I am not violating anything." And then it crosses the border of the territorial waters of the USSR. Following him, the destroyer Caron, which was following in the wake of the missile cruiser, does this. The border TFR "Izmail" raises a signal: "You have violated the border of the territorial waters of the USSR."

Meanwhile, SKR-6 began to catch up with the American destroyer, which avoided the pile-up by increasing its speed. However, SKR-6 continued to follow the destroyer. Immediately all Soviet ships raised a signal: “You have violated the state border of the USSR. I demand to immediately leave the waters of the USSR.” "Selfless" at that time was abeam of the port side of "Yorktown", and SKR-6 was following in the wake of the destroyer "Caron". American ships continued to move towards the Crimean coast. Probably, the change in course was not included in the plans of the American side, or it was already beyond the competence of the ship commanders. A private border incident took on the character of an international conflict. The warships of the two superpowers maneuvered dangerously close to each other, stubbornly insisting that they were right, while simultaneously ignoring the point of view of the other side.

At 10.56, the destroyer Caron, noticing the decisive maneuver of the SKR-6, which was catching up with it and was 150 meters away, hastily raised the signal: “Do not approach the board!” At the same time, the "Selfless" was following only fifty meters from the "Yorktown". A final exchange of signals followed. And again, the message from the "Selfless" about the violation of the border from the "Yorktown" was answered negatively. And then both Black Sea patrol ships, sharply increasing their speed, began to pounce on American ships twice as large. "Selfless" constantly reported the distance to the fleet command post in Sevastopol: "20 meters to the cruiser, 10 meters...". This was not the case in the naval confrontation between the USSR and the USA, even in more difficult years, when the squadrons of the two fleets converged in the Mediterranean Sea, examining each other through their sights. On the aft deck of the Yorktown, sailors crowded along the side. Some take photographs of the approaching "Selfless", others just watch. But soon all of them had no time for jokes - the nose of the Soviet guard was approaching the railing. At 11:02, the "Selfless" fell on the left side of the cruiser, with a grinding sound of metal, it walked along the rails and the Harpoon missile launcher, crushing them.

It was one of the most dangerous moments"Battles of Foros". After all, the launchers contained combat cruise missiles. Fortunately, there was minimal damage. The outer plating on the starboard side was only slightly dented on the "Selfless". The people on both ships were also not injured.

Meanwhile, SKR-6 collapsed on the port side at the stern of the destroyer Caron, damaging its lifeboat and davit. On the SKR-6, the bulwark was crushed and the railings were bent. Only the precise calculation and skill of the commanders of both ships made it possible to carry out a difficult order, demonstrating the decisiveness of their own intentions, without crossing the dangerous line...

At the same time, in this difficult situation, more serious damage and loss of life were avoided.
At 11.40, Admiral Khronopulo transmitted an order from Moscow to the "Selfless" and SKR-6: "Move away from the US ships, convey to them the demand to leave the territorial waters of the USSR. Be prepared for a second attack. Having moved away from the American ships to a safe distance, both patrol ships continue - or escorting the violators in full readiness to repeat the maneuver. However, there was no longer any need for this. Both American ships set out on a course to leave territorial waters, not daring to return the same way as they had practiced before. Having entered neutral waters, they drifted. , conducting active negotiations on the radio with his superiors. Then both ships headed towards the Bosporus, without further entering Soviet territorial waters. Thus, an unusual “naval operation” of more than 30 years of the Cold War in the World Ocean ended.

Ram scheme

Naval SKR "Selfless" on the cruiser "Yorktown"

one of the episodes of the confrontation between two world powers of the times Cold War, when the provocative actions of one side led to active opposition from the other: two Soviet warships - the SKR patrol ship Bezzavetny and SKR-6 - attacked two American warships - the missile cruiser Yorktown (CG-48) and the destroyer "Caron (DD-970)"

Description of USS Yorktown (CG 48)

Options:

Length: 172 m
Width: 16 m
Displacement: 9600 tons
Range: 6,000 miles
Speed: 32 knots

Armament:

Guns: 2 MK.45
Torpedo tubes: 2
Missile launchers: 2 MK41
Anti-ship systems: 8 Harpoon
Anti-aircraft installations: 2 Vulcan MK.15; 2 Standard
Anti-submarine systems: 2 ASROK-VLA
Helicopters: 1
Fire control systems: Aegis

Description of "SKR Bezavetny"

TFR "Selfless"

Options:

Length: 123 m
Width: 14.2 m
Displacement: 3200 tons
Range: 5000 miles
Crew: 197
Speed: 32.2 knots

Weapons:

2 twin 76.2 mm gun mounts AK-726-MR-105
4 PU URPK-5 “Ball”
2 x 2 launchers of the Osa-MA-2 air defense system
2 x 12 rocket launchers RBU-6000 “Smerch-2”
2 x 4 533 mm torpedo tubes ChTA-53-1135
up to 16 sea mines

Description of USS Caron (DD-970)

USS Caron (DD-970)

Options

Length: 171 m
Width: 17.6 m
Displacement: 8040 tons
Draft: 8.8 m
Crew: 295
Speed: 32 knots

Armament

Guns: 2 MK.45
Torpedo tubes: 6 324mm Mk 32
Missile launchers: 2 MK41
Anti-ship systems: Harpoon
Cruise missiles: 2 MK-143 for Tomahawk
Anti-aircraft guns: 2 MK-29 for Sea Sparrow; 2 Vulcan MK.15
Anti-submarine systems: 1 ASROK-VLA
Helicopters: 2

Radar equipment

Sonar: SQS-53B Sonar SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array Sonar
Locator/Radar: SPS-40E,SPS-55
Fire control systems: SPG-60

Description of SKR-6

Options

Length, 82.4 m
Width, 9.1 m
Total displacement, 1140 t
Displacement is normal, 960 t
Draft, 3 m
Speed full speed with gas turbine, 32 knots
Full speed with diesel engines, knots 20
Economic speed, 14 knots
Gas turbine power, 2 x 18000 hp.
Power diesel installation, 2 x 6000 hp
Cruising range, miles 2000
Crew, people 96

Armament

2x2 76mm AK-726 gun mounts
2x5 400 mm torpedo tubes
2x12 RBU-6000 rocket launchers (120 RGB-60)

Even an inexperienced observer can see how big the difference in size is.

Background

This case was unique in the Black Sea Fleet and the American Navy. This episode is still being examined in military naval schools. In the 80s of the 20th century, the Soviet Union was marked by an increase in economic and political crises, which could not but affect the international position of the country. The USSR was moving further and further away from the status of a powerful world power, a stronghold of world socialism, capable of successfully resisting the rest of the capitalist world.

In particular, this was reflected in the increase in the number of provocative actions on the part of the main “ probable enemy" - USA.

The breeding ground for such provocations, among other things, was the question of determining the border of territorial waters, namely: the line from which the 12-mile zone of territorial waters should be counted. In the USA they argued that the count should be taken from every point on the coastline. The Soviet Union adhered to the principle of the so-called “baseline”: for example, when determining the zone of territorial waters in bays, the distance to the border was measured not from the coastline, but from the line connecting the entrance capes of the bays.

Bulk "SKR-6" on the destroyer "Caron"

An additional factor that was used in provocations was that the UN Convention on maritime law(UNCLOS III), signed by the USSR in 1982, stipulated the possible innocent passage of warships with weapons on board through certain sections of the territorial waters of coastal states. This was allowed in exceptional cases, in order to shorten the path and mandatory compliance with a number of conditions: not to carry out reconnaissance missions, not to lift into the air aircraft, do not conduct exercises.

In the waters adjacent to the territory of the USSR there were several areas with a disputed line of demarcation of the state border. One of these areas was located off the coast of Crimea with coordinates 44° N. and 33°E A number of important strategic objects were located on the shore fairly close to it: in Saki there was a ground-based test simulator for naval aviation (NITKA), on which pilots of the future air group of the aircraft carrier Leonid Brezhnev (Admiral of the Fleet Kuznetsov) were trained, and in Foros it was being completed a complex of dachas of the CPSU Central Committee, equipped with an appropriate government communications system.

On March 13, 1986, the cruiser Yorktown (USS CG 48 Yorktown) and the destroyer Caron (USS DD-970 Caron) entered territorial waters off the southern coast of Crimea 6 miles (approximately 10 km). Moreover, the American ships were traveling with working radar stations and other radio-electronic equipment, which meant they were carrying out reconnaissance missions. After this incident, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Fleet Admiral Vladimir Chernavin, turned to the Minister of Defense, Marshal Sokolov, with a plan to actively counter such provocations.

Based on this plan, Marshal Sokolov made a special report to the Central Committee of the CPSU in the summer of 1986, detailing “measures in the event of another violation of territorial waters in the Black Sea by American ships.” The report proposed actively constraining the actions of intruder ships, even to the point of boarding them and expelling them from the country’s territorial waters. After this, Admiral Chernavin was invited to the National Defense Council, chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev. In the presence of Gorbachev, KGB Chairman Chebrikov, Foreign Minister Shevardnadze, Prime Minister Ryzhkov, Defense Minister, Chief of the General Staff and commanders-in-chief of all military branches, the admiral spoke in detail about the essence of the problem and his idea of a surge, citing the example of tanks, which was more understandable to ground military commanders. Gorbachev approved the idea, at the same time recommending to “choose stronger ships.” He also asked Chernavin to provide in advance all measures to exclude casualties among ship personnel.

A direct consequence of this meeting was a special directive from the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy to the commanders of the fleets in the North, the Pacific Ocean and the Black Sea to oust foreign intruder ships.

Events of February 12

At the beginning of February 1988, it became known about the upcoming entry into the Black Sea by the cruiser Yorktown and the destroyer Caron from the US 6th Fleet. Chernavin gave the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Khronopulo, the order to act in accordance with the previously received directive.

Since Khronopulo was in Moscow at that time, the immediate leader of the ousting operation was the Chief of Staff of the Black Sea Fleet, Vice Admiral Selivanov. The task was entrusted to the commander of the TFR “Selfless”, captain 2nd rank Bogdashin, and the commander of the “SKR-6” captain 3rd rank Petrov. In addition, the border patrol ship Izmail and the search and rescue ship Yamal were sent to escort the American ships. The entire group of ships was commanded by the chief of staff of the 70th brigade of the 30th division of anti-submarine ships of the Black Sea Fleet, Captain 2nd Rank Mikheev.

Soviet ships took American ships as escort immediately after leaving the Bosphorus. The Americans passed the territorial waters of Bulgaria, then the territorial waters of Romania, then turned east, moved to an area 40-45 miles south-southeast of Sevastopol and remained there for two days.

On February 12, the Black Sea Fleet command post received a report from Mikheev at approximately 9.45: “The American ships are on a course of 90°, which leads to our terrorist waters, speed 14 knots. The waterway is 14 miles away.” Selivanov ordered Mikheev to convey to the American ships: “Your course leads to Soviet waters, which is unacceptable. I have orders to force you out, even to the point of attack and ramming.” The Americans replied: “We are not violating anything, we are following the same course, the speed is the same.” Then Mikheev received instructions to take positions for displacement.

At 10.45 "Yorktown" and "Caron" entered the territorial waters of the USSR. The border TFR “Izmail” raised a signal: “You have violated the border of the territorial waters of the USSR,” and “Selfless”, “SKR-6” and “Yamal” began maneuvering to get closer to the Americans. The "Selfless" caught up with the "Yorktown", and for some time the ships followed parallel courses almost close to each other.

At 11.02, the “Selfless” shifted the rudder to the right and made a pileup on the stern of the “Yorktown” with its starboard side at an angle of 30 degrees. The impact and friction of the sides caused sparks to fly and the side paint caught fire. The anchor of the "Selfless" with one paw tore the plating of the cruiser's side, and with the other made a hole in the bow of the side of its ship. At the same time, “SKR-6” passed tangentially along the left side of the destroyer “Caron”, cut down its railings, tore the side plating and smashed the boat. The Yamal commander also made a dangerous approach to the Caron, but without a collision.

After the impact, “Selfless” and “Yorktown” turned in opposite directions from each other, but both commanders ordered the ships to be returned to their previous course, and “Selfless” also increased its speed, which led to another pileup.

During the second strike, the high stem of the "Selfless" climbed onto the helicopter deck of the "Yorktown" (while the stern of the Soviet ship was at the cut of the water level) and, with a list to the left side, began to slide towards the cruising poop. At the same time, the patrol boat demolished the cruiser's railing, broke its command boat and launcher Anti-ship missile "Harpoon". As a result of the collision, a fire started on the Yorktown. The Selfless moved away from the Yorktown, but warned that it would repeat the attack if the American ships did not leave territorial waters. However, instead, the destroyer "Caron" began to approach the "Selfless", and both American ships, on converging courses, began to squeeze the patrol ship caught between them in pincers. In response, Mikheev ordered to demonstratively load RBU-6000 rocket launchers with depth charges and deploy them abeam on the starboard and port sides, respectively, against the cruiser and destroyer.

The American ships stopped approaching, but the Yorktown began preparing deck helicopters for takeoff. Selivanov ordered Mikheev to tell the Americans: “If the helicopters take off, they will be shot down as if they violated the airspace of the Soviet Union,” and gave instructions to send fleet aviation to the incident area. After two Mi-24s appeared above the American ships, the Yorktown helicopters rolled back into the hangar. The American ships changed course and went into neutral waters, where they began to drift. The ram was unexpected for the enemy, and caused great damage to the American Navy. Turned around and urgently left the Black Sea.

After the incident, Yorktown was under repair for several months. The commander of the cruiser was removed from his post for passive actions and the initiative given to the Soviet ship, which caused moral damage to the prestige of the American fleet. [source not specified 21 days]

Bogdashin was awarded the Order of the Red Star, and in 1991 he accepted the position of commander of the cruiser Moskva, the flagship of the USSR Black Sea Fleet. After the incident, the Bezzavetny TFR was under repair for about a month, after which it continued service. On July 14, 1997, the ship's crew was disbanded. On August 1, 1997, under the terms of the division of the Black Sea Fleet, “Selfless” was transferred to the Ukrainian Navy.

"SKR-6" was decommissioned in 1990.

The American side's opinion on the events of February 12, 1988

In 1992, the official publication of the US military department “Military Legal Review” (English Dept. Army pamphlet MILITARY LAW REVIEW, winter 1992) published an article mentioning the incident in the Black Sea on 02/12/1988.

According to this source, in 1982, the USSR adopted the Law on the State Border of the USSR and a number of by-laws, by which the Soviet side introduced restrictions on the free passage of foreign warships in five zones of the territorial waters of the USSR (in the Baltic, Okhotsk, Japanese and Black Seas). The United States believed that the introduction of these restrictions was a violation of international laws and, in particular, the Free Navigation Convention.

On February 12, 1988, the cruiser Yorktown and the destroyer Caron received instructions from the Pentagon to proceed through an area closed by the Soviet side for free passage in the territorial waters of the USSR near the Crimean Peninsula. The purpose of this action was “to demonstrate a non provocative exercise of the right of innocent passage.”

According to the source, “Caron” was first on the warrant, followed by “Yorktown.” After exchanging radiograms, at the direction of the Soviet command, SKR-6 made an attack on the Caron, and three minutes later, the Selfless made an attack on the Yorktown. However, the American ships still continued to follow their course and completed the passage through Soviet territorial waters.

The United States believes that the passage of American warships through Soviet territorial waters on February 12, 1988 was a valid exercise of the right of innocent passage. At the same time, Richard Armitage, Advisor to the US Secretary of Defense for international security(Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs), believed that such passages “from an operational standpoint, the transits were not necessary”

The story of how the patrol ship "Selfless" pushed the American cruiser "Yorktown" out of Soviet territorial waters. Surprisingly, our film directors and screenwriters still ignore this story, which happened on February 12, 1988 in the Black Sea. Although there is no need to write anything - life itself wrote the script.

It has all the signs of an action-packed film: a dynamic chase and intense passions. And the main thing is the feat of the Soviet sailors from the patrol ships “Selfless” and SKR-6, who that day gave a tasty slap in the face to two US Navy ships that brazenly violated the state border of the USSR. They weighed it so much that the Yankees entered the Black Sea with caution for a long time!

Rear Admiral Vladimir Bogdashin told Zvezda about some unknown details of the incident. In 1988, he commanded the "Selfless".

Old scores

A day before the events described, “Selfless”, under the command of then captain 2nd rank Vladimir Bogdashin, returned to Sevastopol from Mediterranean Sea, where I carried it for almost six months military service. Some of the ammunition was unloaded, and a third of the crew went on vacation. Bogdashin himself was going to meet with the veterans... The order from the fleet headquarters to go to sea at 6 am came as a complete surprise to everyone.

It was necessary to meet two American ships near the Bosphorus: the cruiser Yorktown and the destroyer Caron. The Black Sea sailors had old scores to settle with them...

“The fact is that two years earlier these ships had already entered the Black Sea,” recalls Vladimir Ivanovich. “And they behaved quite brazenly.” Politicians then talked about the rapprochement between the USA and the USSR, and at this time the American military tried its best to show who was in the house new owner. For the first time, they invaded our territorial waters by several miles. And they didn’t have anything for it. Nobody understood how to behave in relation to those whom Gorbachev had just called our new “partners”...

Having demonstrated the flag, the Americans then proudly left. But the sediment remained, the Soviet sailors were no longer going to forgive this...

"Heroes of Shipka" helped

“We went to sea with an incomplete crew,” continues Bogdashin. “Even without some of the officers, I received all the instructions already at sea. In the evening we approached Turkey and began to wait. Another patrol boat, SKR-6, left Bulgaria and joined us. It was clear that the Americans were again starting a provocation: they walked in complete radio silence. Try to understand which of the hundreds of points on the locator are our “clients”? Moreover, they were covered by a thick fog”...

Civilian sailors from the Soviet ferry Heroes of Shipki helped locate the US ships. They were just passing the Bosphorus, and they were asked to keep an eye on the Americans. They complied with the request and gave exact coordinates. What happened next was a matter of technology: “Selfless” and SKR-6 met “Yorktown” and “Caron” and began escorting. The ships, like two years ago, were heading straight to Sevastopol...

Ramming American ships in the Black Sea. 1988.

"The first blow was easy..."

“When we came closer to our waters, we began to warn them: “Your course leads to Soviet territorial waters!” Change course,” continues Vladimir Bogdashin. “But they didn’t even think of listening to us.” They always answered: “We are not violating anything.” This was true up to a certain point. And in Soviet waters, the auxiliary ship Donbass was also waiting for the Americans; in case of violation, it would also fall on the uninvited guests. "Donbass" was not chosen by chance - it had a powerful ice belt of the hull. We hoped that Uncle Sam's subordinates would come to their senses. But they walked without slowing down.”

The Caron was the first to cross the USSR state border. SKR-6 went to intercept it. He had to make a “pile up” - walking on a parallel course, scrub, push back the opponent, pile on his side with the mass of his ship and force him to change course. However, the bulk of the SKR-6 turned out to be like pellets to an elephant: the American cruiser was five times larger, our patrol ship was simply thrown back.

Next, York Town entered Soviet waters. “Donbass” also prepared for the onslaught, but fell behind. And then Captain 2nd Rank Bogdashin accelerated the speed of the “Selfless” and began a rapid approach to the cruiser... He understood: circumstances required the most decisive action.

“The first blow was relatively light,” Bogdashin recalls. “With our starboard side, we came into contact with the left side of the Yorktown at speed.” It was a glancing blow; we demolished the gangway for the Americans in the area of the navigation bridge. From the shore we were ordered to move away and continue observation, but I could no longer do this...

“They demolished the helipad, the missiles...”

Vladimir Ivanovich approaches the painting in which People’s Artist of Crimea Andrei Lubyanov depicted that same legendary “Bogdashin’s pile-up”, and shows why the second strike was inevitable: “After contact, the ship began to turn to the left. There was a danger of hitting your stern against the stern of the Yorktown. And on our “Selfless” four torpedo tubes are located and prepared for firing in the stern. The torpedoes could detonate from the impact. The cruiser also had four Harpoon launchers ready for battle...

And Bogdashin in that situation makes the only right decision: he announces to the crew that the ship is going to ram, takes the rudder sharply to the right and hits the Yorktown again. This time the blow was more significant: “Selfless” “jumped” on the guest with its nose and went to destroy everything that was on the stern: those same “Harpoons”, a helipad, guardrails...

“The right anchor (and it weighs 3 tons) was lowered, and it also tumbled on their deck,” Vladimir Ivanovich smiles. “At some point, he entered the side of it, broke away and flew into the sea. After that we were thrown away from each other. As it turned out later, the impact tore off the patrol ship’s titanium bulb (this is a convex protruding part on the bow below the waterline - Ed.), and the engines moved several centimeters.”

“The midshipman wanted to steal the rocket!”

The exciting “battle” continued. The destroyer "Caron" tried to come to the rescue and take the "Selfless" in pincers from the left side. They even rolled a helicopter onto the site. However, then four more of our ships and helicopters appeared, which, hovering over the sea, made it clear: we shouldn’t do this. The “guests” correctly assessed the hint: they drove their helicopter back, quickly jumped out into neutral waters and began to drift. "Selfless" followed them.

“Sheaves of sparks flew from the Yorktown all night,” recalls Vladimir Bogdashin. “They cut off the crumpled metal and threw it into the sea. They also had to pass the Bosporus in front of the Turks: apparently, they really didn’t want to look like beaten dogs! My guys’ eyes simply shone with pride. None of my guys drifted off. Unlike the Americans: when they saw that I was going to ram, they rushed in all directions. And our midshipman Shmorgunov stood at the side with a rope throughout the “battle” - he wanted to throw a noose over one of the “Harpoons” and steal their rocket! There was no such order, but... Eh, he was a little short..."

Scheme of maneuvers.

Execute or pardon?

At that point, the Russian and American sailors parted ways: the crippled York Town, accompanied by the Caron and a group of Soviet ships, moved back to the Bosporus. And the heroic “Selfless” headed for Sevastopol. True, the happy ending did not look exactly like in the movies. Vladimir Ivanovich was almost punished for that feat!

“The first words I heard from the division commander: “Well, you give...” Bogdashin recalls again. - This was said with admiration... And the fleet commander scolded me for the lost anchor. And the chief navigator handed me a stack of documents: study, they say, where you are right. They hinted that I had violated the International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea... As if we were on vacation and the yachts collided... I was following orders!”

The TV still showed footage of meetings between the Soviet and American presidents. Both smiled and talked about the “new vector of relations.” The naval leadership of that time did not understand how to react to Bogdashin’s feat: either execute him or have mercy... And a couple of days later the commander of the “Selfless” was summoned to Moscow.

source: http://agitpro.su/plata-za-naglost/

"Excerpt from the book "Secrets of Sevastopol" by Valery Ivanov

The actions of the warships were supported by the ice-class vessel Yamal. The ice belt and reinforcement of the dry cargo ship's hull were much more powerful than the hulls of patrol ships, but it could not chase the newest American cruiser Yamal at a speed of twenty knots.
The power of the ramming blows of the “Selfless” was realized later. Cracks of 80 and 120 mm were formed where the SKR touched, a small hole appeared in the area where the ship routes passed, and the bow titanium bulb also received several impressive dents. Already at the factory, the displacement of four motors and couplings was detected.
On the Yorktown, in the area of the middle superstructure, a fire apparently broke out; Americans in firefighting suits descended, unwinding fire hoses, with the intention of extinguishing something.
The "Selfless" did not lose sight of the American ships for some time. Then he increased the speed again and finally gave a “lap of honor” around the Yorktown and Caron. Yorktown seemed dead - not a single person was visible on the decks or bridges.
When there were about one and a half cable lengths left before the Caron, probably the entire crew of the ship poured out onto the decks and superstructures of the destroyer. Dozens, hundreds of photo flashes flashed on the “Caron”, seeing off the “Selfless” with such photo applause.
Glowing with gold letters in the stern, “Selfless” proudly rushed past and, as if nothing had happened, headed for Sevastopol.
As foreign sources reported, after the incident, the Yorktown was repaired for several months at one of the shipyards. The commander of the cruiser was removed from his post for passive actions and the initiative given to the Soviet ship, which caused moral damage to the prestige of the American fleet. The US Congress froze the budget for the Navy Department for almost six months.
Oddly enough, in our country there were attempts to accuse Soviet sailors of illegal actions, maritime robbery and so on. This was done mainly for political purposes and to please the West. They had no serious basis, and the accusations crumbled like a house of cards. Because in this case, the fleet showed decisiveness and simply fulfilled the functions assigned to it."

The leaders and main “actors” of the operation to oust the Americans from our territorial waters were: Admiral SELIVANOV Valentin Egorovich (formerly commander of the 5th Mediterranean squadron of the Navy, at that time vice admiral, chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet, later chief of the General Staff of the Navy), Vice Admiral Nikolai Petrovich MIKHEEV (at that time captain 2nd rank, chief of staff of the 70th brigade of the 30th division of anti-submarine ships of the Black Sea Fleet), rear admiral BOGDASHIN Vladimir Ivanovich (at that time captain 2nd rank, commander of the TFR "Selfless"), captain 2nd rank PETROV Anatoly Ivanovich (at that time captain 3rd rank, commander of SKR-6).

This is how they describe the end of the operation to expel the American cruiser:

"... With confirmation of the order “Act according to the operation plan,” we went to “pile up” the cruiser (“SKR-6” - destroyer). Bogdashin maneuvered in such a way that the first blow landed tangentially at an angle of 30 degrees. to the left side of the cruiser. The impact and friction of the sides caused sparks to fly and the side paint caught fire. As the border guards later said, for a moment the ships seemed to be in a fiery cloud, after which a thick plume of smoke trailed behind them for some time. Upon impact, our anchor tore the plating of the cruiser’s side with one claw, and with the other made a hole in the bow of the side of its ship. The impact threw the TFR away from the cruiser, the stem of our ship went to the left, and the stern began to dangerously approach the side of the cruiser.

An emergency alarm was sounded on the cruiser, personnel rushed from the decks and platforms, and the cruiser commander rushed inside the navigation bridge. At this time, he apparently lost control of the cruiser for some time, and it turned slightly to the right due to the impact, which further increased the danger of it collapsing onto the stern of the TFR "Selfless". After this, Bogdashin, having commanded “starboard,” increased the speed to 16 knots, which made it possible to slightly move the stern away from the side of the cruiser, but at the same time the cruiser turned left to its previous course - after this, the next most powerful and effective pileup occurred, or rather a cruiser ram. The blow fell in the area of the helipad - the tall sharp stem with the forecastle of the SKR, figuratively speaking, climbed onto the cruising helicopter deck and, with a list of 15-20 degrees to the left side, began to destroy with its mass, as well as with the anchor hanging from the hawse, everything that came across it, gradually sliding towards the cruising stern: it tore the skin of the side of the superstructure, cut down all the railings of the helipad, broke the command boat, then slid onto the poop deck (to the stern) and also demolished all the railings with the racks. Then he hooked the Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher - it seemed that a little more and the launcher would be torn from its fastening to the deck. But at that moment, having caught on something, the anchor broke away from the anchor chain and, like a ball (weighing 3.5 tons!), flew over the aft deck of the cruiser from the left side, crashed into the water already behind its starboard side, miraculously not having caught none of the sailors of the cruiser's emergency party who were on deck. Of the four containers of the Harpun anti-ship missile launcher, two were broken in half along with the missiles, their severed warheads hanging on internal cables. Another container was bent.
Finally, the SKR forecastle slid from the stern of the cruiser onto the water, we moved away from the cruiser and took up a position on its beam at a distance of 50-60 meters, warning that we would repeat the attack if the Americans did not come out of the watershed. At this time, a strange bustle of emergency personnel (all blacks) was observed on the deck of the cruiser: having stretched fire hoses and lightly sprayed water on the broken flares that did not burn, the sailors suddenly began to hastily drag these hoses and other fire-fighting equipment into the interior of the ship. As it turned out later, a fire started there in the area of the cellars of the Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Asrok anti-submarine missiles.
Valentin Selivanov. After some time, I received a report from Mikheev: “The destroyer Caron has turned off course and is heading straight towards me, the bearing is not changing.” Sailors understand what “the bearing does not change” means—that is, it is heading for a collision. I tell Mikheev: “Move to the starboard side of the cruiser and hide behind it. Let the Caron ram it.”
Nikolay Mikheev. But "Caron" approached us at a distance of 50-60 meters from the left side and lay down on a parallel course. On the right, at the same distance and also on a parallel course, a cruiser followed. Then the Americans began, on converging courses, to squeeze the TFR "Selfless" in pincers. He ordered the RBU-6000 rocket launchers to be loaded with depth charges (the Americans saw this) and to deploy them abeam on the starboard and port sides, respectively, against the cruiser and destroyer (however, both RBU launchers operate in combat mode only synchronously, but the Americans did not know this). It seemed to work - the American ships turned away.
At this time, the cruiser began preparing a couple of helicopters for takeoff. I reported to the fleet command post that the Americans were preparing some kind of dirty trick for us with helicopters.
Valentin Selivanov. In response to Mikheev’s report, I tell him: “Inform the Americans - if the helicopters take off, they will be shot down as if they violated the airspace of the Soviet Union” (the ships were in our terrorist waters). At the same time, he transmitted the order to the command post of the fleet aviation: “Raise the duty pair of attack aircraft into the air! Mission: loitering over American ships that have invaded the terrorist waters in order to prevent their deck-based helicopters from rising into the air.” But the aviation OD reports: “In the area close to Cape Sarych, a group of landing helicopters is practicing tasks. I propose sending a couple of helicopters instead of attack aircraft - it’s much faster, and they will perform the “anti-takeoff” task more effectively and clearly.” I approve this proposal and inform Mikheev about sending our helicopters to the area. Soon I receive a report from the aviation department: “A pair of Mi-26 helicopters are in the air, heading to the area.”
Nikolay Mikheev. He told the Americans what would happen to the helicopters if they were lifted into the air. This did not work - I see the propeller blades have already started spinning. But at that time, a pair of our Mi-26 helicopters with a full combat suspension of on-board weapons passed over us and the Americans, making several circles above the American ships and defiantly hovering somewhat to the side from them, an impressive sight. This apparently had an effect - the Americans turned off their helicopters and rolled them into the hangar.
Valentin Selivanov. Then an order came from the Navy Central Command: “The Minister of Defense demanded that we investigate and report on this incident” (our naval wits later became more sophisticated: report with a list of persons subject to removal from positions and demotment). We submitted a detailed report to the authorities on how everything happened. Literally a couple of hours later, another order comes from the Navy Central Command Committee: “The Minister of Defense demands that those who have distinguished themselves be nominated for promotion” (our wits were found here too: the list of persons for demotion should be replaced with a register of those nominated for awards). Well, everyone’s hearts seemed to have eased, the tension had subsided, all of us and the fleet command crew seemed to have calmed down.
The next day, the Americans, without reaching our Caucasian maritime areas, moved to exit the Black Sea. Again, under the vigilant control of the new ship group of our ships. Another day later, the “beaten” ships of the valiant 6th Fleet of the US Navy left the Black Sea, which was inhospitable for them on this voyage.
The next day, Vladimir Bogdashin, on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, flew to Moscow with all the documents to report to the Navy command and the leadership of the General Staff all the details of the incident.
Vladimir Bogdashin. In Moscow, I was met by officers from the General Staff of the Navy and taken directly to the General Staff. We went up in the elevator together with Colonel General V.N. Lobov. He, having learned who I was, said: “Well done, son! The sailors did not let us down after this Rust. They did everything right!” Then I reported everything to the officers of the General Staff, explained the maneuvering schemes and photographic documents. Then I had to tell and explain everything again to a group of assembled journalists. Then I was “picked up” by the correspondent of the military department of the newspaper “Pravda”, captain 1st rank Alexander Gorokhov, and taken to the editorial office, where I had to repeat everything. In the issue of the newspaper for February 14, 1988, his article “What do they want off our shores? Unacceptable actions of the US Navy” was published with brief description our "exploits".
The material was prepared by Vladimir Zaborsky, captain 1st rank"

Exactly 30 years ago, on February 12, 1988, in the Black Sea, two Soviet patrol ships SKR Bezzavetny (Project 1135) and SKR-6 (Project 35) carried out an unprecedented operation to displace two of the newest warships of the 6th Fleet of the US Navy - cruisers "Yorktown" (Ticonderoga type) and the destroyer URO "Caron" (Spruance type), which brazenly and deliberately violated the state border of the USSR.

The operation, which took place in the area between Yalta and Foros, is unprecedented in a number of ways. SKR "Selfless" is three times smaller in displacement than the newest cruiser "Yorktown" at that time, and SKR-6 (its displacement is slightly more than 1000 tons) is six times smaller than the destroyer URO "Caron". The enormous technical and military superiority of American ships was countered by the courage, determination, courage of Soviet sailors, and well-structured, skillful tactics of action. As a result, they won, and the American ships, having received damage, were forced to leave the USSR's terrorist waters, and then completely leave the Black Sea.

The general management of the ousting operation was carried out by the Chief of Staff of the Black Sea Fleet, Vice Admiral Valentin Egorovich Selivanov. Prior to this position, he served for seven years in the Mediterranean squadron, first as chief of staff and then as squadron commander. One of the main tasks of the squadron is to confront the ships of the 6th Fleet of the US Navy in the Mediterranean Sea, so Admiral Selivanov knew very well both the TTD and the capabilities of American ships, their history and even commanders.

I think that not only sailors, but even ordinary people can imagine how difficult and dangerous it is to pile a ship on an enemy in this particular case. A huge cruiser, armed to the teeth, with a displacement of 9,200 tons, sees how a patrol boat with a displacement of 3,000 tons is catching up with it. The American sailors are euphoric and smiling; an active photo and video session is underway in anticipation of the beautiful “show.” And nearby, against a destroyer with a displacement of 7,800 tons, there is a tiny, sharp-nosed patrol ship with a displacement of only 1,300 tons. What would have happened to our SKR-6 if the destroyer had turned the rudder sharply to the left side when the patrol ship was preparing to strike and was on a parallel course?! He could just roll over.

The pre-planned operation began only when American ships actually entered our territorial waters and did not respond to repeated warnings to leave our territorial waters.

The command from the Investigative Committee is: everyone should put on life jackets. And then the Selfless runs into the cruiser Yorktown. Metal scraping. The TFR "Selfless", having dropped a three-ton anchor from the hawse, strikes the cruiser.

A minute after the pile-up, Mikheev reports to Selivanov: “We walked along the left side of the cruiser. The Harpoon missile launcher was broken. Two broken missiles hang from their launch containers. All the railings on the left side of the cruiser were demolished. The command boat was destroyed. In some places the side and side trim of the bow superstructure were torn. Our anchor came loose and sank.”

What are the Americans doing? It was as if a cow had licked the smiles and euphoria with its tongue. The cruiser sounded an emergency alarm. Emergency responders in protective thermal suits water a launcher with Harpoon missiles with hoses. But very soon they began to drag the hoses inside the ship. As it later turned out, a fire started there in the area of the cellars of the Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Asrok anti-submarine missiles.

There's no time for smiles anymore. If the cruiser had exploded, it would have been bad for our ship.

Soon Mikheev reported on the actions of SKR-6: “I walked along the left side of the destroyer, the rails were cut down, the boat was broken. Breaks in side plating. The ship's anchor survived. But the American ships continue the passage at the same course and speed.”

Selivanov gives the command to Mikheev: “Carry out a second pile-up.”

Valentin Selivanov:
“After some time, I receive a report from Mikheev: “The destroyer Caron has turned away from its course and is heading straight towards me, the bearing is not changing.” "Caron" is heading for a collision. Selivanov orders Mikheev: “Move to the starboard side of the cruiser and hide behind it. Let the Caron ram it.”

Next, the Americans began to clamp the TFR “Selfless” in pincers on converging courses. Mikheev ordered the RBU-6000 rocket launchers to be loaded with depth charges and deployed abeam to the starboard and port sides, respectively, against the cruiser and destroyer. The Americans saw this. The game of nerves continued. The determination of the Soviet sailors had an effect - the American ships turned away.

But the struggle continued. On the cruiser they began preparing a couple of helicopters for takeoff. Mikheev reported to the fleet command post that the Americans were preparing some kind of dirty trick with helicopters. Mikheev told the Americans what would happen to the helicopters if they were lifted into the air. It didn't work. The propeller blades are already spinning. But at that time, a pair of our Mi-26 helicopters with a full combat suspension of on-board weapons passed over the Americans at an altitude of 50-70 meters - an impressive sight. They made several circles over the American ships, defiantly hovering somewhat away from them. The Americans surrendered: they turned off their helicopters and rolled them into a hangar.

The next day, "Yorktown" and "Caron", without reaching our Caucasian sea areas, moved towards the exit from the Black Sea. Under the control of a new ship group of our ships. Another day later, the battered ships of the 6th Fleet of the US Navy left the Black Sea.

I would like the Americans, who are once again frequenting the Black Sea, to remember this history lesson from 30 years ago.