Russian Navy Warship Fires Flares At Danish Military Helicopter In Baltic Sea

A Russian frigate fired two flares towards a Danish military helicopter in the Baltic Sea, with one passing just metres from the aircraft, Denmark’s armed forces said on Tuesday.

The Danish Fennec helicopter was taking photographs of the Russian frigate in international waters off Gedser, Denmark’s southernmost town, on Monday, Sept. 14.

Denmark said the helicopter was carrying out a routine operation and was following standard procedures.

The European Union also condemned the flare firing, calling it “reckless and dangerous” Russian behaviour.

Tensions remain high around NATO’s eastern flank because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Lithuania said NATO fighter jets had shot down a drone after it entered Lithuanian airspace. Poland also scrambled fighter jets during Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Denmark’s military said the Russian frigate fired two flares towards the helicopter. One of them passed close to the aircraft.

Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said there had been no warning or radio contact before the flares were fired. He said they came within “a matter of metres” of the helicopter.

Bruus said the helicopter had been following normal procedures while photographing the Russian vessel. He said Danish aircraft had carried out similar operations “many times” before.

No one was injured.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the incident “completely unacceptable” and said it could have put lives at risk. He said Denmark had summoned Russian Ambassador Vladimir Barbin.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also criticised the incident, calling it “reckless action from Russia towards Danish military”.
Russia Blames Danish Helicopter

Russia rejected Denmark’s account of what happened.

Barbin said the Danish helicopter had carried out “provocative actions” against the Russian frigate.

He said it was not the first time Danish Air Force helicopters had carried out what he called “dangerous manoeuvres near Russian warships” outside Denmark’s territorial waters.

Barbin also said he had complained last year about “dangerous flyovers and low-altitude hovering” by a Danish Air Force helicopter over an anti-submarine vessel.

Denmark said its actions had been completely legal.

Rasmussen said that did not give Russia “any kind of alibi to start firing at us, even if it’s only with flares”.

Security tensions around the Baltic Sea have increased since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Danish straits are the main route in and out of the Baltic Sea for commercial and military shipping.

Denmark, a NATO member and supporter of Ukraine, said last year that unidentified drones had flown over several Danish airports and an air base where Ukrainian pilots were being trained on F-16 fighter jets.

The flights began just days after Denmark announced plans to acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time. Denmark said the decision was linked to the threat from Russia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the incidents in Denmark and Lithuania.

References: NDTV, The Guardian