Denmark: Russian warship fired two flares toward our helicopter

Denmark has accused a Russian warship of firing two flares toward one of its helicopters while it was monitoring the vessel in the Baltic Sea.

According to Danish authorities, the incident occurred on Monday during a routine monitoring operation in international waters near Gedser. One of the flares passed close to the Danish Air Force’s Fennec helicopter.

The Danish government has summoned the Russian ambassador to seek clarification over the incident. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the Russian action as “reckless,” saying it was intended to “intimidate and divide.”

The Danish Foreign Ministry condemned the incident as “completely unacceptable.”

Russia, for its part, said it would carefully investigate the incident, but accused the Danish helicopters of conducting “dangerous maneuvers” near Russian warships.

The incident came at a time of heightened tension on NATO’s eastern flank. On the same day, alliance forces shot down a drone over Lithuania, adding to concerns over regional security amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.