Denmark says a Russian frigate fired two emergency flares at a Danish Fennec helicopter during a routine photographic monitoring operation in international waters off Gedser, with one flare passing close to the aircraft. Copenhagen summoned the Russian ambassador and called the act "reckless" and "completely unacceptable." Moscow said it would investigate but accused Danish helicopters of dangerous manoeuvres. The incident coincided with NATO jets shooting down a drone over Lithuania, likely from Belarus, raising regional security concerns.
Denmark Says Russian Frigate Fired Flares at Danish Helicopter During Baltic Monitoring
[Rune Dyrholm / Danish Armed Forces]
Denmark has accused a Russian frigate of firing two emergency flares at a Danish Air Force Fennec helicopter while the aircraft was conducting a routine photographic monitoring operation in international waters off Gedser in the Baltic Sea. Copenhagen summoned the Russian ambassador and described the episode as "completely unacceptable."
Incident Details
According to the Danish armed forces, one of the two flares fired passed close to the helicopter. The aircraft was engaged in routine surveillance of the Russian warship when the flares were discharged. Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus told Reuters that the frigate's crew did not attempt to make contact with the helicopter prior to or during the incident.
Reactions From Copenhagen and Moscow
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the action "reckless" and said it appeared intended to "intimidate and divide." The Danish foreign ministry labelled the manoeuvre "completely unacceptable." Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen warned that Russia was "gradually shifting the boundary for what they consider acceptable behaviour."
Russia said it would "thoroughly investigate" the event but accused the Danish helicopter of carrying out "dangerous manoeuvres" near Russian warships. Russian ambassador Vladimir Barbin described Danish actions as "recklessness" and "provocative," adding that, in his view, communication problems stemmed from the Danish side rather than the Russian Navy.
Regional Context
The flare incident occurred the same night NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Lithuania's airspace, likely coming from Belarus, according to Lithuanian authorities. President Gitanas Nausėda said the episode underlined the need for vigilance as "Russia intensifies its aggression against Ukraine." Poland also reported precautionary aviation operations in response to jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles it attributed to the Russian Federation.
Background: NATO jets have been scrambled several times this year to intercept drones that strayed into Baltic airspace. Kyiv has blamed some errant drone flights on Russian electronic warfare that can disrupt or redirect Ukrainian unmanned aircraft.
The Danish government has summoned Russia's ambassador for consultations as the two countries seek further clarification of the events. The episode adds to tensions on NATO's eastern flank amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Help us improve.
