Russian frigate fires flares towards Danish military helicopter, Denmark says

On September 14, a Russian frigate fired two flares towards a Danish military helicopter in the Baltic Sea, narrowly avoiding collision. The incident occurred off the coast of Denmark in international waters. The Fennec military helicopter was conducting a routine mission to photograph the Russian frigate at the time. Denmark's defense command stated that one of the flares passed close to the helicopter.

The Russian embassy did not respond to requests for comment. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the incident serious but not surprising, attributing it to Russia's pattern of increased aggressive behavior and hybrid warfare against Europe. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the incident as unacceptable, warning that it could have endangered lives.

Denmark is working to ensure safe passage for shipping through its waters, but Russia is gradually shifting the boundary of acceptable behavior. The Danish straits are crucial for both commercial and military shipping, as well as global oil shipments, including from Russia's shadow fleet of tankers. The Danish Defence Intelligence Service noted that Russian warships have repeatedly engaged in aggressive actions, such as collision courses with Danish vessels, targeting helicopters and ships with radars, and pointing weapons at them in the straits.