Denmark has summoned Russia’s ambassador after a Russian warship fired two flares toward a Danish military helicopter in the Baltic Sea, according to Denmark’s armed forces. One flare passed close to the aircraft, but no one was injured.
The Danish Fennec helicopter was conducting a routine photographic reconnaissance mission while observing a Russian frigate in international waters off Gedser, a Danish port, the armed forces said. The military described the flare firing as the latest incident involving Russian activity in the region.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the confrontation reflected what she called an increasingly aggressive pattern of Russian behavior in Europe. In a statement on X, she described the action as reckless and said Moscow was seeking to intimidate and divide European countries, adding that Denmark would not change its position.
Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called the incident “completely unacceptable” and said the action could have endangered lives. He accused Moscow of gradually expanding what it considers acceptable behavior and said Denmark could not accept that development.
The confrontation occurred amid heightened security concerns along NATO’s eastern flank during Russia’s war in Ukraine. The source reported that Poland has repeatedly scrambled fighter jets during Russian attacks on neighboring Ukraine and has reported incursions by Russian drones into its airspace.
NATO members in the region have increased air patrols and other defensive measures as the war has raised concerns about spillover and possible direct confrontations between Russian and alliance forces. Denmark’s account of the Baltic Sea incident was not accompanied in the supplied material by a response from Russia.