A Russian frigate fires two flares toward a Danish military helicopter monitoring it in the Baltic Sea, Danish officials say. The helicopter was reportedly sent to photograph and track the vessel in international waters off Denmark on Monday, after which it was narrowly missed by one flare, according to Copenhagen.
Denmark responds by summoning Russia’s ambassador in Copenhagen, with Danish leaders describing the incident as serious and potentially dangerous. Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus says one flare passed within metres of the aircraft and calls the maneuver “deeply unprofessional seamanship,” while the Foreign Minister says Denmark is trying to ensure shipping passes peacefully but that Russia is shifting what it considers acceptable behavior. Danish officials also frame the event as part of a wider pattern of close encounters.
Moscow disputes Denmark’s characterization. Russian sources portray the flares as preventing a Danish “provocation,” while Russia’s ambassador says Copenhagen is responsible and references earlier complaints about Danish helicopter activity near Russian ships. Some outlets also contextualize the incident within broader tensions and a wider record of encounters involving Russian forces and NATO-linked countries in northern waters.
