Ramming US warships, patrol ships of the USSR. The ram is the weapon of heroes. Armored oddities of the 19th century Excerpt From the book "Secrets of Sevastopol" by Valery Ivanov

"SKR-6" approaches the "American"

On February 12, 1988, events took place in the Black Sea Fleet that received a "resonant" response in the political, military and naval circles of various countries. On this day, a serious incident occurred involving warships of the 6th US Fleet, the cruiser URO "Yorktown" and the destroyer URO "Caron", which came to the Black Sea and violated state border THE USSR.

The leaders and main "actors" of the operation to oust the Americans from our territorial waters were: Admiral Valentin Egorovich SELIVANOV (former 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 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 "Bezzavetny"), Captain 2nd rank PETROV Anatoly Ivanovich (at that time captain 3rd rank, commander of "SKR-6").

Valentin Selivanov. The operation of the ships of the Black Sea Fleet, which will be discussed below, was preceded by events in the country and their consequences related to the violation of the state border and the flight from the Baltic Sea through the entire western space of the Union (05.28.1987) of the German air adventurer Rust, who landed his sports airplane of the type " Sesna" right on Red Square in Moscow. After destruction on Far East reconnaissance Korean "Boeing", disguised as a civilian aircraft, the order of the Minister of Defense was in effect: do not shoot down civilian aircraft! But in vain, there was no need to regret - after all, the consequences of this trick of Rust had an extremely negative impact on the entire military department.

The command of the Black Sea Fleet learned in advance about the new voyage of the American ships URO "Yorktown" (type "Ticonderoga") and the destroyer URO "Karon" (type "Spruence") being prepared in February 1988 in the Black Sea in advance (the reconnaissance of the fleet tracked all the actions of the 6th US Navy Fleet ). Considering, as I explained above, the situation in the Armed Forces after Rust's "trick", we, naturally, could not allow a new provocation by the Americans to violate our maritime borders, if they again decide to repeat their past demarche, would go unpunished for them. Therefore, before the arrival of American ships in the Black Sea, the headquarters of the fleet planned an operation to track and counter them: the patrol ships "Bezzavetny" (project 1135) and "SKR-6" (project 35) were allocated, the commander of this ship group was appointed - the chief of staff 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 dimensions) - 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.


"SKR-6" rams

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. More places for such a "demonstration" violation of the tervod at the Black Sea theater does not exist. 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.


Photographed from "Bezzavetnogo"

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 instructions and 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 tervods Soviet Union, the violation of which is unacceptable. "Mikheev reports:" Passed. The answer is that they do not violate anything. They follow 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. I have an order to drive you out, up to bulk and battering ram. Broadcast all this on the air in clear text twice in Russian and in English. " Mikheev again reports: "I transmitted. They repeat that they do not violate anything. The course and speed are the same. "Then I order Mikheev:" Take up positions for displacement. "We provided for the briefing that the bulk be tougher and cause more significant damage to the ships, etch the right anchors and keep them suspended on the anchor chains under the haws of the right So the high forecastle of the Selfless TFR, and even the anchor dangling to the right, could thoroughly tear the side and everything that falls under bulk on board the ship being forced out of its course. Mikheev continues to report: "Up to tervod 5,..3,.. 1 cable. The ships took up positions for the bulk. "Further report:" American ships entered the territorial waters. "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 Coastline". So, indeed, the Americans nevertheless got into our waterways. I order Mikheev: "Act according to the plan of operation." He answers: "Understood." Both of our ships began maneuvering to "bulk" on American ships.

Further, I received reports only on the maneuvering of the Selfless SKR. Maneuvering "SKR-6" controlled and received reports from its commander Mikheev. I remember that it was almost exactly at 11.00 am, Mikheev reported: "Closed with the cruiser up to 40 meters" ... and then the 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. The situation at the fleet command post is tense: I am directly in touch with Mikheev, the OD of the fleet with the receiver of the ZAS apparatus in my hands simultaneously transmits all actions, orders, reports to the Central Command of the Navy, from there all this is transmitted to the Central Command of the Armed Forces. The entire calculation of the KP in the work.

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 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 Bezzavetny, 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"? Doubt, 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, rails were cut down, the boat was broken. Breakthroughs 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 began maneuvering to carry it out.


"Selfless" rams

How everything really happened in the "bulk" area, they say Nikolay Mikheev and Vladimir Bogdashin.

By the time they approached the waterways, the American ships followed, as it were, in a bearing formation with a distance between them of approximately 15-20 cable lengths (2700-3600 m), while the cruiser was ahead and seaward, the destroyer was closer to the coastline at the heading angle of the cruiser 140-150 deg. left side. SKR "Bezzavetny" and "SKR-6" in the positions of tracking the cruiser and destroyer, respectively, at their heading angles of the left 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). Sailors and officers with cameras and video cameras poured out on the deck of the cruiser, superstructure platforms - they laugh, wave their hands, make 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 with one paw tore the plating of the side of the cruiser, and the other made a hole in the bow of the side of his 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.


Scheme of maneuvers

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 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 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 convey to him: “Inform the Americans - if they take off into the air, helicopters will be shot down as violating the airspace of the Soviet Union” (the ships were in our waterways). 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 propose to send 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 had an effect - 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 detailed report 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 our Caucasian sea areas, moved to the exit from the Black Sea. Again, under the vigilant control of the new ship group of our ships. A 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.

Vladimir Bogdashin the next day, by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, flew to Moscow with all the documents to report to the command of the Navy and the leadership of the General Staff of all the details of the incident.


Vladimir Bogdashin. In Moscow, I was met by officers of the OU General Staff of the Navy and taken directly to the General Staff. In the elevator they went upstairs 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 the correspondent of the military department of the newspaper Pravda, Captain 1st Rank Alexander Gorokhov, "took" me and took me 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 coasts? Inadmissible actions of the US Navy" was published with brief description our "feats".

The material was prepared by Vladimir Zaborsky, captain 1st rank

(filmed from an American ship)

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

The actions of warships were insured by the Yamal ice-class vessel. The ice belt and the reinforcement of the bulk carrier's hull were much more powerful than the hulls of patrol ships, but they 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 formed at the point of contact of the TFR, a small hole appeared in the area where the ship routes passed, and the nasal titanium bulb also received several impressive dents. Already in the factory, a displacement of four engines and clutches was detected.

On the Yorktown, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe middle superstructure, a fire apparently broke out, the Americans in firefighting suits descended, unwinding fire hoses, with the intention of putting out something.

"Selfless" did not lose sight of the American ships for some time. Then he again increased the speed and finally gave a "lap of honor" around the "Yorktown" and "Caron". The Yorktown seemed dead - not a single person was visible on the decks and bridges.

When about one and a half cable lines remained before the Caron, probably the entire crew of the ship poured onto the decks and superstructures of the destroyer. Dozens, hundreds of flashlights sparkled on the "Caron", seeing off the "Selfless" with such photo applause.

Shining with gold letters in the stern, "Selfless" proudly swept past and, as if nothing had happened, headed for Sevastopol.

According to foreign sources, after the incident, Yorktown was under repair for several months at one of the shipyards. The cruiser commander was removed from his post for passive actions and the initiative granted to the Soviet ship, which caused moral damage to the prestige of the American fleet. The US Congress froze the budget of the naval department for almost six months.

Oddly enough, but in our country there were attempts to accuse Soviet sailors of illegal actions, sea robbery and more. This was done mainly for political purposes and to please the West. They did not have a serious basis, and the accusations crumbled like a house of cards. Because in this case the fleet showed determination and simply fulfilled the functions assigned to it.

On February 12, 1988, events took place in the Black Sea Fleet that received a "resonant" response in the political, military and naval circles of various countries. On this day, a serious incident occurred with the participation of warships of the 6th US Fleet, the cruiser URO "Yorktown" and the destroyer URO "Caron", which came to the Black Sea and violated the state border of the USSR. The leaders and main "actors" of the operation to oust the Americans from our territorial waters were: Admiral Valentin Egorovich SELIVANOV (former 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 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 "Bezzavetny"), Captain 2nd rank PETROV Anatoly Ivanovich (at that time captain 3rd rank, commander of "SKR-6").
Valentin Selivanov. The operation of the ships of the Black Sea Fleet, which will be discussed below, was preceded by events in the country and their consequences related to the violation of the state border and the flight from the Baltic Sea through the entire western space of the Union (05.28.1987) of the German air adventurer Rust, who landed his sports airplane of the type " Sesna" right on Red Square in Moscow. After the destruction of a Korean reconnaissance Boeing disguised as a civilian aircraft in the Far East, the order of the Minister of Defense was in effect: do not shoot down civilian aircraft! But in vain, there was no need to regret - after all, the consequences of this trick of Rust had an extremely negative impact on the entire military department.
The command of the Black Sea Fleet learned in advance about the new voyage of the American ships URO "Yorktown" (type "Ticonderoga") and the destroyer URO "Karon" (type "Spruence") being prepared in February 1988 in the Black Sea in advance (the reconnaissance of the fleet tracked all the actions of the 6th US Navy Fleet ). Considering, as I explained above, the situation in the Armed Forces after Rust's "trick", we, naturally, could not allow a new provocation by the Americans to violate our maritime borders, if they again decide to repeat their past demarche, would go unpunished for them. Therefore, before the arrival of American ships in the Black Sea, the headquarters of the fleet planned an operation to track and counter them: the patrol ships "Bezzavetny" (project 1135) and "SKR-6" (project 35) were allocated, the commander of this ship group was appointed - the chief of staff 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 dimensions) - 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 "demonstration" violation of the tervods at 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 instructions and 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.

Further, I received reports only on the maneuvering of the Selfless SKR. Maneuvering "SKR-6" controlled and received reports from its commander Mikheev. I remember that it was almost exactly at 11.00 am, Mikheev reported: "Closed with the cruiser up to 40 meters" ... and then the 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. The situation at the fleet command post is tense: I am directly in touch with Mikheev, the OD of the fleet with the receiver of the ZAS apparatus in my hands simultaneously transmits all actions, orders, reports to the Central Command of the Navy, from there all this is transmitted to the Central Command of the Armed Forces. The entire calculation of the KP in the work.
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 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 Bezzavetny, 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... I 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, rails were cut down, the boat was broken. Breakthroughs 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 began maneuvering to carry it out.
How everything really happened in the "bulk" area, they say Nikolai Mikheev and Vladimir Bogdashin.
By the time they approached the waterways, the American ships followed, as it were, in a bearing formation with a distance between them of approximately 15-20 cable lengths (2700-3600 m), while the cruiser was ahead and seaward, the destroyer was closer to the coastline at the heading angle of the cruiser 140-150 deg. left side. SKR "Bezzavetny" and "SKR-6" in the positions of tracking the cruiser and destroyer, respectively, at their heading angles of the left 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). Sailors and officers with cameras and video cameras poured out on the deck of the cruiser, superstructure platforms - they laugh, wave their hands, make 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 with one paw tore the plating of the side of the cruiser, and the other made a hole in the bow of the side of his 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 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 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 convey to him: “Inform the Americans - if they take off into the air, helicopters will be shot down as violating the airspace of the Soviet Union” (the ships were in our waterways). 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 propose to send 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 had an effect - 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 detailed report 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 our Caucasian sea areas, moved to the exit from the Black Sea. Again, under the vigilant control of the new ship group of our ships. A 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.
Vladimir Bogdashin the next day, by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, flew to Moscow with all the documents to report to the command of the Navy and the leadership of the General Staff of all the details of the incident.
Vladimir Bogdashin. In Moscow, I was met by officers of the OU General Staff of the Navy and taken directly to the General Staff. In the elevator they went upstairs 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 the correspondent of the military department of the Pravda newspaper, Captain 1st Rank Alexander Gorokhov, "took" me and took me 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 coasts? Inadmissible actions of the US Navy" with a brief description of our "exploits" was published.
The material was prepared by Vladimir Zaborsky, captain 1st rank

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, 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 service staff. 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, which supported the sailors of the "Selfless" and defended their good name in front of the country's leadership. 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 CEO educational 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.

A battering ram in World of Warships is any interaction between the hulls of two ships. When dealing damage, several parameters are taken into account.

1. Masses of ships. The greater the mass of the ships involved in the ramming, the more damage is inflicted on them.
2. Ratios and differences in the masses of ships. In a collision between two ships, the ship with the smaller mass takes more damage, and vice versa.
3. The relative speed of ships. The higher the speed, the more damage will be dealt.
4. The direction of movement of ships and the place of collision. If the blow fell on a sliding trajectory, minor damage will be inflicted. If the blow fell head-on or at a right angle to the side, the damage will be dealt a lot.

If you collided with an ally, then under any set of circumstances, both will receive significantly less damage than when colliding with an enemy.

When ramming, there is a chance to break the ship in half. This can only happen if the following conditions are met:

1. The ram led to the death of the ship.
2. The ram was fired by the nose of the enemy ramming into the side.
3. The displacement of the ramming ship is at least 80% of the displacement of the target.
4. The angle at which the ram was fired ranged from 75 to 105 degrees.

The case that will be discussed in the article, although rare, is very indicative of the Soviet-American confrontation of the times 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 maritime 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.

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 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 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 Bezzavetny, 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, rails were cut down, the boat was broken. Breakthroughs 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 left 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 with one paw tore the plating of the side of the cruiser, and the other made a hole in the bow of the side of his 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.

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 into the air, 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 new group 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.