Russian warship fires flares at Danish helicopter over Baltic Sea

Denmark says one of the flares passed the aircraft at close range, branding the action as ‘reckless’

A Russian warship fired flares at a Danish helicopter over the Baltic Sea in the latest sign of what Denmark’s government called increasingly risky and reckless behaviour from Moscow.

Denmark called in Russia’s ambassador after a Russian frigate in international waters fired two flares at a Danish helicopter that was taking “routine” photographs of it. Danish military said one of the flares passed the helicopter at close range.

“Reckless action from Russia towards Danish military during a routine overflight yesterday. Russian actions are meant to intimidate and divide. They will not succeed. We will not waver,” said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Jeppe Bruus, Denmark’s defence minister, said: “This is the first time we have seen an incident of this kind to the best of my knowledge, and it demonstrates that the Russians are becoming more willing to take risks. It is therefore a serious incident, and that is also why we are summoning the Russian ambassador for a meeting.”

Russia’s ambassador to Denmark said the helicopter behaved in a provocative manner and that Russian attempts to de-escalate the situation in the Baltic Sea had been rebuffed by Copenhagen.

European governments, particularly along Nato’s eastern flank, have warned in recent weeks that Russia is becoming more confrontational in an attempt to dissuade countries from supporting Ukraine. Russia is also stepping up hybrid attacks, including provocations, arson and the weaponisation of migration into the EU, they added.

Denmark has been one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine. Last year, the Scandinavian country closed multiple airports after unconfirmed sightings of drones, with suspicion falling on Russia.

The Danish incident came after Nato fighter jets shot down a drone over Lithuania for the first time.

Lithuanian authorities said it was not yet clear whether the drone — which came from Belarus — was Russian or Ukrainian, but that it appeared to be carrying explosives. It was shot down west of the capital Vilnius, and investigators were examining the wreckage.

Similar incidents have taken place in neighbouring Poland, Latvia and Estonia. Many have involved stray Ukrainian drones, which Baltic officials believe were forced off course by Russian jamming, but some have been Russian unmanned devices.

Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte this week said that Russia was becoming “increasingly reckless” after a drone attack at Leipzig airport was attributed by German officials to Moscow.