Case in the Black Sea: "Selfless" goes to ram! Sea ramming of a Soviet patrol boat into the side of an American cruiser Russian border boat rams an American

08.03.2020

The US military has never been particularly "politically correct". If there was an opportunity to arrange a provocation, they always went for it. However, more than thirty years ago, Soviet sailors repelled violators by ramming two enemy ships at once.

Radio silence in the fog

Perestroika, which was announced in our country in 1986, rather quickly led to a softening of morals regarding our "potential enemy", that is, the Americans. The magnanimity of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU knew no bounds: soon, with his light hand, they began to cut military missiles into pieces, transfer ships, submarines, tanks and other military equipment, and not just combat-ready, but completely new. The country's leadership suddenly considered that there was no longer any threat to the USSR from overseas "partners".

In the United States itself, however, they were in no hurry to relax. On the contrary, in the second half of the 1980s in the Black Sea, for example, many provocative violations of the territorial waters of the USSR by enemy ships were recorded. Most often, such visits could be nipped in the bud: Soviet watchdogs simply became a “human wall” at the rate of the intruder, thus blocking the path to our territorial waters. But this was not always possible. And then the corvettes, destroyers and cruisers of the US Navy not only patrolled along our coasts, but also made combat turns, prepared installations with missiles and depth charges for firing. In a word, they swaggered as best they could, as if making it clear who the real boss here was.

For the time being, for the time being, they got away with it - after all, detente was gaining momentum in our country. And the naval authorities, having received appropriate benevolent orders from the country's leadership, did not dare to violate the order and enter into an open confrontation with provocateurs. However, in 1988, our sailors had to deal with too arrogant intruder. In February, an escort of American ships, consisting of the cruiser Yorktown and the accompanying destroyer Caron, proceeded through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. Moreover, the ships were sailing with complete radio silence and, as if deliberately choosing the time when the sea was covered with thick fog. And although, thanks to intelligence, it was known in advance about the uninvited visit, it was possible to detect the escort during the passage of the straits only through visual observation. Because the locators fix only a point, and it is impossible to make out whether it is a warship or a civilian ship.

Pictured: US cruiser Yorktown / Photo: wikimedia

Unequal Forces

We found the Americans from our ferry "Heroes of Shipka". Having intercepted a radiogram from the ferry and realizing that they had been discovered, the commanders of the Yorktown and Caron initially decided to “sit out” off the Turkish coast. But in neutral waters, the Americans were already waiting for our two TFRs (patrol ships): TFR-6 and Selfless. Apparently, this is why the provocateurs decided, no longer hiding, to do what, in fact, they had planned from the very beginning.

Having reached our border, the ships, without slowing down, rushed into the territorial waters of the Soviet Union. A warning radiogram flew from our guards to the violators, which, however, did not have any result: the Americans were confidently heading for the shore. Here it should be noted that, in comparison with the "Selfless", "Yorktown", for example, had three times the displacement, and its crew was twice the number of sailors on the guard. It was 50 meters longer than the TFR, carried on board helicopters, 2 missile and 4 anti-aircraft installations, two anti-submarine and 8 anti-ship systems (Asrok and Harpoon, respectively), not to mention torpedoes, guns, the Aegis fire control system " etc.

Bezzavetny, in turn, was armed with two RBU-6000 rocket launchers, four launchers of the URPK-5 Rastrub missile system, two anti-aircraft missile systems, torpedoes and twin 76.2 mm artillery mounts. So, given the difference in armament, the sailors prepared for the worst, uncovering the onboard guns and preparing them for firing (it’s more expensive to use missiles).

In response to these preparations, the Americans decided to take their rotorcraft into the air: pilots and maintenance personnel appeared on the helipad. Seeing this, the commander of the "Selfless" captain of the second rank Vladimir Bogdashin ordered to send a radiogram to the "Yorktown", in which he warned the Americans that if they took off, they would immediately be shot down. However, the violators did not pay any attention to the warning.

Bulk, more bulk

It was at that moment that Bogdashin realized that it was impossible to do without decisive measures, but it was impossible to apply. And then he gave a desperate order - to go to the ram. Since the “Selfless” literally went side by side with the “Yorktown”, at a distance of literally ten meters, the TFR just slightly changed course and at first made only a light bulk on the missile cruiser, demolishing its ladder. The American sailors, who before that, having poured out onto the deck, frivolously sent obscene gestures to the Soviet sailors and photographed our guard, calmed down and hid in the ship's premises. With the second strike, the TFR literally “climbed” onto the cruiser, “shaved off” the intruder’s helipad and damaged four Harpoon anti-ship systems - the blow was so strong. And in the torpedo tubes of the Yorktown, a fire broke out.

In the picture: the bulk of the TFR "Selfless" on the cruiser "Yorktown" / Photo: wikimedia

At this very time, the SKR-6 went to ram the Caron, although the Soviet guard was four times smaller than the destroyer. However, the impact was tangible. He, in turn, decided not to contact the SKR-6, but to approach the other side of the Selfless in order to take the SKR in pincers together with the Yorktown. However, the speed of the patrol ship was higher, and he easily parried this maneuver. However, the crew of the cruiser had no time for maneuvers and nothing at all - the battle for the ship's survivability was in full swing on it. And after the team moved away from the shock, Yorktown turned 180 degrees and was like that. Caron followed suit. After this incident, American ships disappeared from our Black Sea territorial waters for a long time.

In the picture: SKR-6 fell on the port side in the stern of the destroyer "Caron" / Photo wikipedia

We must pay tribute to the command of the fleet, which supported the sailors of the "Selfless" and defended their good name before the leadership of the country. And a year later, Vladimir Bogdashin was awarded the Order of the Red Star ... for the development of new technology. At that time, he was no longer the commander of the guard, but studied at the Grechko Naval Academy. Subsequently, he commanded the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet "Moscow". Now Vladimir Ivanovich, a retired rear admiral, is the general director of the training and research center of the Moscow Federation of Trade Unions.

After the collapse of the USSR, during the division of the fleet, the Bezzavetny went to Ukraine and became the Dnepropetrovsk, and then it was completely written off as scrap metal. Went "on pins and needles" and "SKR-6". So sad was the fate of the watchmen, who gained fame for the Soviet navy.

In February 1988, the US military leadership gave a command to two of its ships to enter the territorial waters of the USSR in the area of the main naval base of the Black Sea Fleet in the city of Sevastopol.

This mission was entrusted to the missile cruiser "Yorktown" and the destroyer "Caron", which had repeatedly entered the Black Sea and knew the local maritime theater of operations very well.

The ships went deep into the territorial waters of the USSR for as much as six miles. At the same time, their radars, including electronic intelligence equipment, worked at full capacity. That is, the ships were in full combat readiness, which was a frank challenge.

« Selfless» and« Yorktown»

The chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet, Vice-Admiral Valentin Selivanov (the commander was in Moscow that day), having reported "upstairs" about the incident, gave the command to stop the provocation. The patrol ships Bezzavetny (project 1135) and SKR-6 (project 35) came out to intercept the Americans. We deliberately focus on the projects of our ships, which were three times (“Selfless” in comparison with the “Yorktown”) and almost nine times (SKR-6 with the “Caron”) less in terms of displacement of American border violators.

When the destroyer evaded a collision with SKR-6 and continued to go deep into the waters of the USSR, the commanders of both guards began to approach. As Retired Rear Admiral Vladimir Bogdashin, commander of the Selfless, recalls today, watching the maneuver, the American sailors, crowded on the upper deck, laughing and showing obscene gestures, were actively photographed against the backdrop of the “crazy Ivans”.

Knowing about the different dimensions (in their favor) of the ships, they had no doubt: the Russians would never make direct contact.

Meeting in the Black Sea

But as soon as the "Selfless" with a soul-rending rattle fell on the port side of the American cruiser, all the merry fellows and photographers were blown away by the wind. At about the same time, the SKR-6 poked the right "cheekbone" of its stem into the port side of the stern of the "Caron".

“The first bulk was easy,” says Bogdashin, “as if in passing. We rubbed against the sides, demolished the ladder on the Yorktown and that's it. However, this produced a shock to the commanders of both American ships, who immediately sounded a combat alert. They did not expect such actions from us. After the first blow, we were ordered to withdraw and not make contact, but it was too late. The cruiser was twice the size of the "Selfless", and from the impact of the stern of my ship went sharply to the left, from which we began to approach the stern. It was very dangerous both for them and for us.”

According to Bogdashin, the four-pipe torpedo tube of the Bezzavetny from the starboard side was in full combat readiness. The American's eight Harpoon rocket launchers were also probably loaded "to the eyeballs."

“If the ships touched the stern parts and my torpedo tubes entered under its missile guides, we would hardly be talking to you today. I had only to give the fullest forward with a sharp turn to the right in order to throw the stern aside. As a result, with our bow, we literally climbed onto the left waist of the Yorktown, almost completely demolishing the left side of the helipad of their ship and crushing everything that was in the way. And since before that I gave the command to lower the starboard anchor, it played the role of a projectile fired from a sling. Having entered the side of the cruiser, the anchor flew over its deck, broke off several meters of the chain and went down with it to the bottom. This was the only casualty in that skirmish.”

SKR-6 did not even need a second attempt to bulk. The Americans decided not to tempt their fate again. They made a maneuver, which in the fleet is called "all of a sudden - on the reverse course", and went to the exit from the territorial waters of the USSR.

Outraged State Department

The most striking thing is that the indignant State Department, just a few hours after the incident, sent a note of protest to the USSR Foreign Ministry. But not with apologies, but with claims that, they say, the Soviet Union is provoking a military conflict with the United States.

There is no point in commenting on this situation, especially after three decades. Especially today, when we are seeing very similar reactions from across the ocean in response to any actions of Russian military units.

Even exercises conducted on their own territory are immediately declared an act of aggression by Russia. At the same time, they call all flights, "swims" and advancement of NATO combat units in the east direction the practical development of the skills of their military.

Let them say whatever they want. Just let them remember: no one gave the right to our American "partners" (neither then nor now) to deal with Russia from a position of strength. Especially since they never were. Whoever doubts, let him remember this tiny incident in the Black Sea.

And there is another fact that cannot be dismissed. In its more than 240-year history, having provoked and unleashed over two hundred wars and military conflicts outside its country, the American Yankees have not won a single open confrontation.

Now, few people remember the incident between warships of the USSR and the USA off the coast of Crimea in 1988. And even then, our media did not particularly spread about him, in the light of détente, perestroika and improved relations with the United States. But the event was extraordinary ...

The leaders and main protagonists of the operation to oust the Americans from our territorial waters were: Admiral SELIVANOV Valentin Yegorovich (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 Main Staff of the Navy), vice- Admiral MIKHEEV Nikolai Petrovich (at that time captain of the 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 of the 2nd rank, commander of the TFR "Bezzavetny"), captain 2 rank PETROV Anatoly Ivanovich (at that time captain of the 3rd rank, commander of "SKR-6").

Admiral Selivanov: The command of the Black Sea Fleet learned in advance about the new voyage of the American ships URO "Yorktown" (Ticonderoga type) and the destroyer URO "Caron" (type "Spruence") that was being prepared in February 1988 in the Black Sea (the reconnaissance of the fleet tracked all the actions of US Navy Fleet). Before the arrival of American ships in the Black Sea, the headquarters of the fleet planned an operation to track and counter them: patrol ships "Bezzavetny" (project 1135) and "SKR-6" (project 35) were allocated, the commander of this ship group was appointed - 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 Nikolai Petrovich. The commanders of the ships and the ship's group were thoroughly briefed on the plan of operation with the loss of all actions on maps and maneuverable tablets. The ships in the operation were distributed as follows: SKR "Selfless", as a larger ship in terms of displacement, was supposed to accompany and counteract the cruiser "Yorktown", and "SKR-6" (small in displacement and size) - the destroyer "Caron". All commanders were given specific instructions: as soon as it was discovered that the Americans intended to proceed to our waterways, to take a position relative to the side of the American ships from our coast, to warn them that the course of their ships was leading to the waterways, then, if the Americans did not heed this warning, with their entry into the waterways, to make a "bulk" on American ships with each of our ships. The commanders understood their tasks, and I was sure that they would fulfill their tasks. The plan of operation was approved by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral of the Fleet V.N. Chernavin.

It was envisaged that with the entry of American ships into the Black Sea, our ships would meet them in the Bosphorus area and begin tracking them. After meeting with the Americans, I instructed the group commander to welcome their arrival in our Black Sea (namely, do not forget our word in the greeting) and convey that we will sail with them together. It was expected that American ships would first proceed along the western coast of the Black Sea, "run" into the thermal waters of Bulgaria, Romania (they used to do this), and then they would move to the eastern part to our shores. Well, they will apparently try to invade our territorial waters, as they did last time, in the area of the southern tip of the Crimean peninsula (Cape Sarych), where the borders of the territorial waters in configuration represent a triangle with a peak extended to the south. Most likely, the Americans will not bypass this triangle again, but will go through the waterways. There are no more places for such a demonstrative violation of the territorial waters in the Black Sea theater. And it was here that the main phase of the entire operation was to take place, namely, the prevention or exclusion of American ships with "bulk" on them from our tervods, if warnings about violations of tervods did not affect them. What is a "bulk"? This is not a ram in the full sense of the term, but an approach at a speed at a slight angle, as it were, tangential to the side of the displaced object and its "polite" "repulsion", with a turn away from the course it maintains. Well, "politeness" - how it goes.

Our ships took American ships for escort immediately after leaving the Bosphorus. They greeted them, warned that they would sail with them together, would keep them "company" in the Black Sea. The Americans replied that they did not need help. When I received these first reports, I conveyed to Mikheev: “Inform the Americans: you still have to swim together. They are our guests, and according to the laws of Russian hospitality, it is not customary to leave guests without attention, but how will something happen to them?” ". Mikheev conveyed all this. The Americans passed the thermal waters of Bulgaria, then the thermal waters of Romania. But there were no Romanian ships there (the command of the Romanian fleet even then ignored all our proposals). Further, the American ships turned east, moved to the area 40-45 miles south-south-east of Sevastopol and began some strange maneuvers there. Most likely, they carried out a change or a bookmark on our connected cable routes of special equipment for retrieving information. American ships were spinning in this area for more than two days. Then they crossed and maneuvered directly in the sea zone adjacent to Sevastopol outside the territorial waters.

On February 12, I was at the fleet command post (the commander of the fleet, Admiral M.N. Khronopulo, flew somewhere on business). At about 10 o'clock I received Mikheev's report: "The American ships lay down on a course of 90 °, which leads to our waterways, a speed of 14 knots. 14 miles to the waterways" (about 26 km.). Okay, I think, it's still an hour's walk to the tervod, let them go. I order Mikheev: "Continue tracking." Half an hour later, the next report: "The ships are moving along the same course and speed. 7 miles to the waterways." Again I think what they will do next: will they enter the tervody or turn away at the last moment, "scaring" us? I remember that I myself in the Mediterranean "hid" the ships of the squadron from the wind and storm waves in a half-cable from the border of the tervods (6 miles wide) of the Greek island of Crete (its mountains weakened the force of the wind). I didn't think we were doing anything wrong. And the Americans could also approach the tervods and then turn away without violating anything. The next report comes in: "To the border of the Tervod 2 miles." I convey to Mikheev: "Warn the Americans: your course leads to the Soviet Union's tervods, the violation of which is unacceptable." Mikheev reports: "I passed it on. They answer that they are not violating anything. They are following the same course and speed." Again I give the order to Mikheev: “Warn the Americans once again: violation of the Soviet Union’s tervods is unacceptable. Mikheev again reports: "I passed. They repeat that they are not violating anything. The course and speed are the same." Then I order Mikheev: "Take positions for displacement." During the briefing, we provided for the bulk to be more rigid and cause more significant damage to the ships, to etch the starboard anchors and keep them suspended on anchor chains under the starboard fairways. So the high forecastle of the Selfless TFR, and even the anchor dangling to the right, could thoroughly break the side and everything that falls under the bulk on board the ship being forced out of its course. Mikheev continues to report: "There are 5,..3,..1 cables before the tervod. The ships have taken positions for bulk." Further report: "American ships entered the waterways." To clarify the situation, I request the Combat Information Post (BIP) of the fleet: "Report the exact location of all ships." I receive a BIP report: "11 miles, 9 cables from the coastline." So, indeed, the Americans nevertheless got into our tervods. I order Mikheev: "Act according to the plan of operation." He replies, "Understood." Both of our ships began maneuvering for a "bulk" on American ships. Our ships took American ships for escort immediately after leaving the Bosphorus.

They greeted them, warned that they would sail with them together, would keep them "company" in the Black Sea. The Americans replied that they did not need help. When I received these first reports, I conveyed to Mikheev: “Inform the Americans: you still have to swim together. They are our guests, and according to the laws of Russian hospitality, it is not customary to leave guests without attention, but how will something happen to them?” ". Mikheev conveyed all this. The Americans passed the thermal waters of Bulgaria, then the thermal waters of Romania. But there were no Romanian ships there (the command of the Romanian fleet even then ignored all our proposals). Further, the American ships turned east, moved to the area 40-45 miles south-south-east of Sevastopol and began some strange maneuvers there. Most likely, they carried out a change or a bookmark on our connected cable routes of special equipment for retrieving information. American ships were spinning in this area for more than two days. Then they crossed and maneuvered directly in the sea zone adjacent to Sevastopol outside the territorial waters.

Almost exactly at 11.00 o'clock, Mikheev reports: "Closed with the cruiser up to 40 meters" ... and then a report every 10 meters. The sailors imagine how difficult and dangerous it is to carry out such maneuvers: a huge cruiser with a displacement of 9200 tons and a patrol boat with a displacement of 3000 tons is “moored” to it on the move, and on the other “flank” against a destroyer with a displacement of 7800 tons there is a very small watchdog with a displacement of only 1300 tons. Imagine: at the moment of approaching closely with this little watchdog, put the destroyer sharply on the rudder "to the port side" - and what will happen to our ship? Would not roll over - and this can be! Moreover, the American will still be formally right in such a collision. So the commanders of our ships had to perform a difficult and dangerous task.

Mikheev reports: "10 meters." And immediately: "I ask" good "to act!". Although he had already received all the orders, but, apparently, he decided to play it safe - all of a sudden the situation changed, besides, all negotiations on the air were recorded both by us and by the Americans. I tell him again: "Act according to the plan of operation!". And then there was silence.

I keep track of the stopwatch - I spotted my last order: the arrow ran for a minute, two, three ... Silence. I don’t ask, I understand what is happening on the ships now: briefing and losing on maneuverable tablets is one thing, and how everything will turn out in reality is another matter. I can clearly imagine how the high forecastle of the Bezvevetny, together with the hanging anchor, tears the side and the massive bow superstructure of the American cruiser Yorktown (its superstructure is designed integrally with the side of the ship). But what will happen to our ship from such mutual "kisses"? And what happens in the second pair of this naval "corrida" between the "SKR-6" and the destroyer "Caron"? Doubts, uncertainty... It was thought that with this kind of "mooring" on the move, mutual suction ("sticking") of ships to each other is possible. Well, how will the Americans rush to the "boarding"? We have foreseen such a possibility - special landing platoons have been formed on the ships and are constantly being trained. But there are a lot more Americans... All this flashes through my mind until there are no reports. And suddenly I hear Mikheev’s completely calm voice, as if during the drawing of such episodes on the cards: “We walked along the port side of the cruiser. They broke the launcher of the Harpoon missiles. Two broken missiles hang from the launch containers. boat. In some places, the side and side plating of the bow superstructure were torn. Our anchor broke off and sank." I ask: "What are the Americans doing?" Answers: "They played an emergency alarm. Emergency workers in protective suits water the Harpoon launcher with hoses and drag the hoses inside the ship." "Rockets on fire?" - I ask. "It seems not, fire and smoke are not visible." After that, Mikheev reports for "SKR-6": "He passed along the port side of the destroyer, the rails were cut down, the boat was broken. Breaks in the side plating. The ship's anchor survived. But the American ships continue the transition at the same course and speed." I give the command to Mikheev: "Perform a second bulk." Our ships have begun maneuvering to carry it out."

Nikolai Mikheev and Vladimir Bogdashin tell how everything really happened in the "bulk" area: In this case, the cruiser is ahead and seaward, the destroyer is closer to the coastline at the cruiser's heading angle of 140-150 degrees. left side. SKR "Bezzavetny" and "SKR-6" in the positions of tracking the cruiser and destroyer, respectively, at their heading angles of the port sides 100-110 degrees. at a distance of 90-100 m. Two of our border ships maneuvered behind this group.

Upon receipt of the order "Take positions for displacement", a combat alarm was declared on the ships, the bow compartments were sealed, the personnel were withdrawn from them, the torpedoes in the vehicles were in combat readiness, cartridges were fed to the gun mounts up to the loading line in the breech, emergency parties were deployed, landing platoons were in readiness according to the places of the schedule, the rest of the personnel at combat posts. The right anchors are hung on anchor chains made of hawse. On the navigation bridge of the TFR "Selfless" Mikheev keeps in touch with the command post of the fleet and controls the ships of the group, Bogdashin controls the maneuvers of the ship, here the translator officer maintains constant radio contact with the American ships. We approached the cruiser at a distance of 40 meters, then at 10 meters ("SKR-6" the same with the destroyer). On the deck of the cruiser, on the platforms of the superstructure, sailors and officers poured out with cameras, video cameras, laughing, waving their hands, making obscene gestures, as is customary among American sailors, etc. The cruiser commander stepped out onto the left open wing of the navigation bridge.

With the confirmation of the order "Act according to the plan of operation", they went to the "bulk" of the cruiser ("SKR-6" - the destroyer). Bogdashin maneuvered in such a way that the first blow fell on a tangent at an angle of 30 degrees. to the port side of the cruiser. From the impact and friction of the sides, sparks fell and the side paint caught fire. As the border guards later said, for a moment the ships appeared to be in a fiery cloud, after which a thick plume of smoke trailed behind them for some time. Upon impact, our anchor tore apart the plating of the side of the cruiser with one paw, and the other made a hole in the bow of the side of our ship. From the impact, the TFR was thrown 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 played on the cruiser, the personnel rushed down from the decks and platforms, the cruiser commander rushed inside the navigation bridge. At this time, he apparently lost control of the cruiser for some time, and the cruiser turned somewhat to the right from the impact, which further increased the danger of its bulk on the stern of the Selfless TFR. After that, Bogdashin, having commanded "right to board", increased the speed to 16 knots, which allowed the stern to be somewhat diverted from the side of the cruiser, but at the same time the cruiser turned left to the previous course - after that, the next most powerful and effective bulk occurred, rather ramming a cruiser. The blow fell on the area of the helipad - a tall sharp stem with a forecastle of the TFR, figuratively speaking, climbed onto the cruising helipad and, with a roll of 15-20 degrees to the port side, began to destroy with its mass, as well as everything that came across from the hawse anchor, gradually sliding towards the cruising stern: tore the skin of the side of the superstructure, cut down all the rails of the helipad, broke the commander's boat, then slid down to the poop deck (stern) and also demolished all the rails with racks. Then he hooked the Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher - it seemed that a little more and the launcher would be pulled off its fasteners to the deck. But at that moment, having caught on something, the anchor broke away from the anchor chain and, like a ball (3.5 tons in weight!), Having flown over the aft deck of the cruiser from the port side, collapsed into the water already behind its starboard side, miraculously not hooking any of the sailors on the deck of the cruiser's emergency party. Of the four containers of the Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher, two were broken in half along with missiles, their torn off warheads hanging from internal cables. Another container was bent.

Finally, the forecastle of the TFR slid from the stern of the cruiser into 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 bulk if the Americans did not leave the water. At that time, on the deck of the cruiser, a strange fuss was observed among the personnel of the emergency parties (all Negroes): stretching fire hoses and lightly spraying water on broken rockets 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 a while I receive a report from Mikheev: "The destroyer Caron has turned off course and is heading straight for me, the bearing does not change." Sailors understand what it means "bearing does not change" - that is, it goes to a collision. I tell Mikheev: "Go to the starboard side of the cruiser and hide behind it. Let the Caron ram it."

Nikolai Mikheev: But "Caron" approached us at a distance of 50-60 meters from the port side and lay down on a parallel course. On the right, at the same distance and also in a parallel course, the cruiser followed. Further, the Americans began on converging courses, as it were, to clamp the TFR "Selfless" into pincers. He ordered to charge the RBU-6000 rocket launchers with depth charges (the Americans saw this) and deploy them abeam to the starboard and port sides, respectively, against the cruiser and destroyer (although both RBU installations operate in combat mode only synchronously, but the Americans did not know this). It seems to have worked - the American ships were turned away. At this time, the cruiser began to prepare a couple of helicopters for departure. 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 that helicopters, if they take off into the air, will be shot down as violating the airspace of the Soviet Union." At the same time, he sent an order to the naval aviation command post: "Raise an on-duty pair of attack aircraft into the air! Task: loitering over American ships that invaded the waterways in order to prevent their carrier-based helicopters from rising into the air." But the aviation OD reports: "In the area adjacent to Cape Sarych, a group of landing helicopters is working out tasks. I suggest sending a couple of helicopters instead of attack aircraft - this is much faster, besides, they will perform the task of" countering takeoff "more efficiently and clearly." I approve this proposal and inform Mikheev about the dispatch of our helicopters to the area. Soon I receive a report from the aviation OD: "A couple of Mi-24 helicopters are in the air, they are heading to the area."
Nikolai Mikheev: I told the Americans what would happen to the helicopters if they were lifted into the air. It did not work - I see the propeller blades are already spinning. But at that time, a pair of our Mi-26 helicopters with a full combat suspension of airborne weapons passed over us and the Americans at an altitude of 50-70 meters, making several circles above the American ships and defiantly hovering somewhat away from them - an impressive sight. This apparently worked - the Americans drowned out their helicopters and rolled them into the hangar.

Valentin Selivanov: Then an order was received from the Central Command of the Navy: "The Minister of Defense demanded to investigate and report on this incident" (our naval wits then refined themselves: report with a list of persons to be removed from their posts and demoted). We submitted a report to the authorities on how everything happened. Literally a couple of hours later, another order comes from the Central Control Center of the Navy: "The Minister of Defense demands that those who distinguished themselves be presented for promotion" (our wits were found here too: replace the list of persons for demotion with a register of persons involved in the award). Well, everyone seemed to feel relieved from the heart, the tension subsided, we all seemed to calm down with the calculation of the command post of the fleet.

The "Americans" left the Soviet territorial waters, drifted, entered into active radio conversations with their superiors, and the next day moved to the exit from the Black Sea.

In 1997, the Bezzavetny was handed over to Ukraine, proudly called the Dnipropetrovsk frigate, but did not go to sea, then it was disarmed and sold to Turkey. In March 2006, she was sunk while being towed, probably in order to obtain insurance. And "SKR-6" back in 1990 was cut up for scrap.

The story of a feat. 1988

25 years ago, two ships of the USSR Black Sea Fleet accomplished a feat that is still remembered in the naval world. In Soviet territorial waters, having exhausted methods of influence and not being able to use weapons, the Black Sea men took an unprecedented step - a double sea ram.

The international situation in those years was tense to the limit. The former head of the international department of the Central Committee of the CPSU, Valentin Falin, testifies: “There were provocations in the Black Sea, airspace violations became more frequent. The Americans are getting ready, adopting a new doctrine that provides for non-nuclear strikes against Soviet bases and ports of the Soviet Union.”

In 1986, the American cruiser URO "Yorktown" and the destroyer "Caron", having passed through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, resolutely headed for the coast of Crimea. Having entered from the direction of Feodosia, the American ships proceeded without hindrance along the southern coast of Crimea and retired towards the Bosporus. At that time, the check of vigilance and readiness of the Black Sea Fleet ended without conflicts.
In 1988, old acquaintances re-entered the Black Sea, but this time on a counter-course - already from Sevastopol. The American duo of ships moved along the dial of the Black Sea in the opposite direction - as if clockwise, pressing into our territorial waters so defiantly that any doubts about the good intentions of overseas visitors disappeared.

When we approached from the stern - dear mother! - our navigation bridge at the level of their deck. Such a hoot!!! And the Americans from the superstructures take pictures of us and shoot us on video cameras, and they give us a thumbs up, like: “You swim well, native.” As though any threat, they did not take us into account. It was very upsetting. When they hit for the first time - slightly, casually; they just froze who was where. The feeling is that they did not believe their eyes, that all this is really happening. And when we bounced back, sat down, “gave” the second time already seriously and the nose of our ship climbed onto the deck of the cruiser, the Harpoon strike missile system began to fall on them (it is located at the stern, at the very transom).

We pressed on and the pieces of the launcher just flew overboard and to our deck. Here for the first time (and with a feeling of deep moral satisfaction) I saw frightened American faces. We saw their square eyes almost point-blank. And in a second - as they rush from their place, they began to scatter, hide in the superstructure. Now that was absolutely correct.

And our ship is trembling like a seizure, in the nose - the crunch of torn metal, short circuits. Our anchor fell out on the poop, crawls along the deck, destroys everything. The star has come off our right cheekbone and is also jumping on the deck of the cruiser. We have a lid from the Harpoon container lying on our right waist, lifelines are flying on both ships, and the fleeing Americans enliven this whole picture of destruction! The beauty!

We part with the American and he lowers the Vulkan-Phalanx (such a 6-barreled unit with a rate of fire of 80 rounds per second) down and points us to the navigation bridge. And with this machine, our ship can be cut in half in a minute. I have a thought: here it is - the end of my brilliant career ... Everything that remains of me can be collected in a shoebox. We immediately pricked the wasps, they jumped out of the cellars, and four missiles stared at the cruiser. In the stern, two AK-726s (twin 76-mm gun mounts) completed the guidance. Well, our miner, in full view of the astonished American public (he stood on the upper deck near the torpedo tubes, and the Americans perfectly saw all his actions), began to quickly turn the torpedo tubes, pointing them at close range to the side of the York for a salvo. Here already "Volcano" you will not indulge. Until they kill us (we believe - in 30-40 seconds), in response, they will receive four missiles, two or three torpedoes and a dozen or two 76-mm shells. It is unlikely that we would have drowned this monster, but we would have put it out of action forever.

They wanted to ram for the third time, but we already have a hole half a muzzle, all the compartments of GAK 14 are flooded, the ship is losing speed. Left behind. The American fled from our territorial waters with commendable agility. He took pieces of our skin to his historical homeland. And he left the wreckage of his strike complex to us as a keepsake. This is such a natural exchange.

We went downstairs with the boatswain, and there was a picture from the Star Wars series. The ship was opened like a can opener. Through the holes in the cheekbones, we observe the sea under our feet. There is practically no one side from the hawse to the superstructure, the bow is folded to the side, the hydroacoustic station is broken, water enters the bow compartments. We have a side thickness of 8 mm, and an inch armor on the cruiser.

And then we also learn that our fellow tracking officer, SKR-6, while we were figuring out with Yorktown (why he enters someone else's house without knocking), in turn, managed to ram the destroyer URO Caron. How he managed to do it, I don't know. He has a lower move, and he himself is five times smaller than a destroyer, and his weapons are prehistoric (no missiles at all), and he himself is already old, like Peter the Great's boat. Well, then, we are not alone in such kamikaze.

We return to the base "on parole and on one wing." There is already a group of people meeting on the pier, mostly from a special department. As soon as we moored, competent comrades get on board, all the documentation of objective control is confiscated from us, the commander is put into an UAZ, taken to the fleet headquarters, and then to the Kachinsky airfield, and by military aircraft to Moscow. No one knows whether we are heroes or criminals, or whoever at all ... The TFR is standing at the mine wall, no one from the authorities comes in, the ship is like a leper. We are waiting for how it all ends, we are getting ready to twist holes for orders and dry crackers. As for the commander, we don’t know whether we will see him, or whether he will immediately go through the stage.

The commander is returning from Moscow. He enters the ship, I run out to meet. He winks, turns away the side of his overcoat, and he has the Order of the Red Star there! Well, that's all! We received a command to love. And every morning - delegations, the reception of pioneers on board the TFR "Unrestrained", veterans. In the morning you go out to build, to raise the flag, and pioneer drums are already pounding on the wall, another team has arrived to join the pioneers. The commander was so tired of speaking in front of an admiring audience that he asked me to write him a short speech on duty, which he first read out, and then practically memorized. Well, after this incident, the crew served in such a way that it was just a song ... Not a single remark, they were terribly proud of the ship, they listened to the officers like dad and mom. And we wrote off two beaten lieutenants, they already had no life in the crew ... "

After the collision with the Yorktown, the SKR Bezzavetny was under repair for a long time (until 1997).
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, the Bezzavetny was transferred to the Ukrainian Navy.
The new name is the frigate "Dnepropetrovsk" (U134 "Dnipropetrovsk").
On September 8, 1997, he was expelled from the Russian Navy.
In October 2002, the Dnipropetrovsk frigate was withdrawn from the combat ships of the Ukrainian Navy.

In December 2003, the ship was transferred to the category of “technical property” and the Ukrspetsmash enterprise began to sell it.

In March 2005, the proud combat TFR "Bezzavetny" was sold by the Ukrainian military for scrap to Turkey. He went in tow, with muffled boilers, de-energized .... Dead….
And suddenly the dead ship SAMI opened the kingstones .... And he started to leave. Silently. With trim on the nose. And only when the bridge almost disappeared under water, a beep sounded over the Black Sea. When the boilers are off... He said goodbye ... He did not want to be sawn. The warship chose its own death, as befits an officer. (according to eyewitnesses, source forum Sevastopol.info)

The case, which will be discussed in the article, although rare, is very indicative of the Soviet-American confrontation during the Cold War. We are talking about the so-called "bulk", that is, the collision of warships without the use of weapons. According to the definition of the marine explanatory dictionary, bulk is the contact of ships due to errors in the calculations of movement. Unlike a collision, damage during a bulk is practically minimal.

It was such a bulk that took place in the Black Sea between Yalta and Foros, when Soviet ships forced American ships out of the territorial waters of the USSR.

In general, in the 1980s, American ships were too frequent guests in the Black Sea, especially in the part that bordered on the territorial waters of the USSR. But the most famous incident occurred on February 12, 1988, when 6 warships of the US Navy violated the state border of the USSR.

The head of the operation to oust the offending ships was Admiral V.E. Selivanov.

The command of the Black Sea Fleet knew in advance about the upcoming voyage of American ships: fleet intelligence monitored all the actions of the 6th US fleet (it was the ships of this fleet that became participants in the incident) and had already decided that in case of violation of the border of the USSR, they would take the most severe measures to punish violators.

The ships of the USSR Black Sea Fleet took American ships for escort immediately after the latter left the Bosphorus. As expected, they greeted us and said that they would continue on the same course. Despite the fact that everything was said with humor, they say, “You are our guest, and according to the laws of Russian hospitality, it is not customary to leave guests unattended,” the situation was already aggravated almost from the first minutes of the meeting.

So, with escort, American ships approached the area south-southeast of Sevastopol (about 40-45 miles) and began completely incomprehensible maneuvers there. After staying there for about 2 days, they crossed to the area near Sevastopol and, not paying attention to numerous warnings, violated the state border.

After some time, the ships of the Black Sea Fleet were ordered to "Take positions to force out the violating ships." A combat alert was immediately announced, hatches were sealed, torpedoes were put on alert, etc.

Mikheev reports:"10 meters". And immediately: "I ask" good "to act!". Although he had already received all the orders, but, apparently, he decided to play it safe - all of a sudden the situation changed, besides, all negotiations on the air were recorded both by us and by the Americans. I tell him again: "Act according to the plan of operation!". And then there was silence...

I follow the stopwatch - I spotted it with my last order: the arrow ran for a minute, two, three ... Silence. I don’t ask, I understand what is happening on ships now: briefing and losing on maneuverable tablets is one thing, and how everything will turn out in reality is another matter. I can clearly imagine how the high forecastle of the Bezvevetny, together with the hanging anchor, tears the side and the massive bow superstructure of the American cruiser Yorktown (its superstructure is designed integrally with the side of the ship). But what will happen to our ship from such mutual "kisses"? And what happens in the second pair of this naval "corrida" between the "SKR-6" and the destroyer "Caron"? Doubts, uncertainty... It was thought that with this kind of "mooring" on the move, mutual suction ("sticking") of ships to each other is possible.

Well, how will the Americans rush to the "boarding"? We have foreseen such a possibility - special landing platoons have been formed on the ships and are constantly being trained. But there are a lot more Americans… All this is rushing through my mind until there are no reports. And suddenly I hear Mikheev’s completely calm voice, as if during the drawing of such episodes on the cards: “We walked along the port side of the cruiser. They broke the launcher of the Harpoon missiles. Two broken missiles hang from the launch containers. boat. In some places, the side and side plating of the bow superstructure were torn. Our anchor broke off and sank." I ask: "What are the Americans doing?" Answers: "They played an emergency alarm. Emergency workers in protective suits water the Harpoon launcher with hoses and drag the hoses inside the ship." "Rockets on fire?" - I ask. "It seems not, fire and smoke are not visible." After that, Mikheev reports for "SKR-6": "He passed along the port side of the destroyer, the rails were cut down, the boat was broken. Breaks in the side plating. The ship's anchor survived. But the American ships continue the transition at the same course and speed." I give the command to Mikheev: "Perform a second bulk." Our ships have begun maneuvering to carry it out."

With the confirmation of the order to "act according to the plan of operation", the Soviet ships went to the "bulk". From impact and friction, the paint that covered the side caught fire. Upon impact, the anchor of one of our ships tore the skin of the American cruiser, but damaged its bow in the process.

A few minutes later, the next, even stronger bulk occurred, which, rather, became a ram: the blow fell on the helipad area - our ship simply began to destroy the enemy ship, tore the skin, cut down part of the helipad and hooked the Harpoon anti-ship missile installation.

Some time later, the Americans began to prepare helicopters for takeoff from the wrecked ship. Almost immediately, a warning was sounded from the Soviet side that if the helicopters left the ship, this would be considered a violation of the airspace, and every helicopter that took off would be shot down. In order for the Americans to understand that no one would joke anymore, Mi-26 helicopters were raised into the air, which, only by demonstrating a combat suspension, forced the Americans to abandon the idea of lifting helicopters into the air.

Valentin Selivanov: After some time, I receive a report from Mikheev: "The destroyer Caron has turned off course and is heading straight for me, the bearing does not change." Sailors understand what it means "bearing does not change" - that is, it goes to a collision. I tell Mikheev: "Go to the starboard side of the cruiser and hide behind it. Let the Caron ram it."

Nikolai Mikheev: But "Caron" approached us at a distance of 50-60 meters from the port side and lay down on a parallel course. On the right, at the same distance and also in a parallel course, the cruiser followed. Further, the Americans began on converging courses, as it were, to clamp the TFR "Selfless" into pincers. He ordered to charge the RBU-6000 rocket launchers with depth charges (the Americans saw this) and deploy them abeam to the starboard and port sides, respectively, against the cruiser and destroyer (although both RBU installations operate in combat mode only synchronously, but the Americans did not know this). It seems to have worked - the American ships were turned away. At this time, the cruiser began to prepare a couple of helicopters for departure. 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 they take off, the helicopters will be shot down as if they had violated the airspace of the Soviet Union." At the same time, he sent an order to the naval aviation command post: "Raise an on-duty pair of attack aircraft into the air! Task: loitering over American ships that invaded the waterways in order to prevent their carrier-based helicopters from rising into the air." But the aviation OD reports: "In the area adjacent to Cape Sarych, a group of landing helicopters is working out tasks. I suggest sending a couple of helicopters instead of attack aircraft - this is much faster, besides, they will perform the task of" countering takeoff "more efficiently and clearly." I approve this proposal and inform Mikheev about the dispatch of our helicopters to the area. Soon I receive a report from the aviation OD: "A couple of Mi-26 helicopters are in the air, they are moving to the area."

Nikolai Mikheev: He told the Americans what would happen to the helicopters if they were lifted into the air. It did not work - I see the propeller blades are already spinning. But at that time, a pair of our Mi-26 helicopters with a full combat suspension of airborne weapons passed over us and the Americans at an altitude of 50-70 meters, making several circles above the American ships and defiantly hovering somewhat away from them - an impressive sight. This apparently worked - the Americans drowned out their helicopters and rolled them into the hangar.

Valentin Selivanov: Further, an order was received from the Central Command of the Navy: "The Minister of Defense demanded to investigate and report on this incident" (our naval wits then refined themselves: to report with a list of persons to be removed from their posts and demoted). We submitted a report to the authorities on how everything happened. Literally a couple of hours later, another order comes from the Central Control Center of the Navy: "The Minister of Defense demands that those who distinguished themselves be presented for promotion" (our wits were found here too: replace the list of persons for demotion with a register of persons involved in the award). Well, everyone seemed to feel relieved from the heart, the tension subsided, we all seemed to calm down with the calculation of the command post of the fleet.

The next day, the Americans, not reaching the territorial waters of the USSR in the Caucasus region, advanced to the exit from the Black Sea. Again, accompanied by a new group of Soviet ships. A day later, a fairly battered group of ships of the 6 "valiant" US fleet left the Black Sea.

That very moment:

P.S. In 1997, the Bezzavetny was transferred to Ukraine, proudly called the Dnipropetrovsk frigate, but did not go to sea, then it was disarmed and sold to Turkey. In March 2006, she was sunk while being towed, probably in order to obtain insurance. And "SKR-6" back in 1990 was cut up for scrap.

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