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Russian Military Jets Buzz U.S. Destroyer In Baltic Sea


A U.S. defense official says two Russian military jets flew "aggressive" overflights near a U.S. guided-missile destroyer in "simulated attack profiles" within international waters off the coast of Russia.

The U.S. official said the Russian Su-24 jets were not armed in the April 12 incident, but flew so close to the U.S. destroyer and at such a low altitude that they created a "wake in the water."

The official also said a Russian Ka-27 Helix helicopter flew seven circles around the U.S. destroyer, the USS Donald Cook, and took pictures.

WATCH: Video of the incident in the Baltic Sea:

According to the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet website, the USS Donald Cook is now in the Baltic Sea after leaving the port of Gdynia, Poland, on April 11.

USS Donald Cook encountered similar close passes by a Russian fighter jet in the Black Sea in April 2014 when it was deployed in international waters.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

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