A Russian frigate fired two flares near a Danish military helicopter in international waters off the coast of Denmark on Monday, narrowly missing the aircraft. The Danish defense command stated the helicopter was on a routine mission to photograph the Russian vessel.
One of the flares, typically used as a warning signal at sea, passed close to the helicopter. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the incident as serious but not surprising, characterizing it as part of a pattern of increased Russian hybrid warfare aimed at intimidating and dividing NATO.
"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," Frederiksen said in a statement on X. She added that Russia's goal is to "sow fear and discord," and Denmark's response is to "stand closer together and strengthen the defence of Denmark and Europe."
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called the incident "unacceptable" and noted it could have endangered lives. He stated that "Denmark is working to ensure that all shipping can pass peacefully through Danish waters, but Russia is gradually moving the line for what it considers acceptable behaviour." Rasmussen announced he had summoned Russia's ambassador to Denmark for a meeting.
The Danish straits serve as a primary sea route into and out of the Baltic Sea for both commercial and military shipping. They are also a significant route for global oil shipments, including those from Russia's shadow fleet tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions.
This event occurs in a context of heightened tensions in the Baltic Sea region. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the area has seen increased incidents including gas pipeline disruptions, airspace violations, and drone sightings.
Denmark's Defence Intelligence Service previously reported that Russian warships had repeatedly sailed on collision courses with Danish vessels, targeted Danish helicopters and ships with tracking radars, and pointed weapons at them in the straits. Russia has consistently denied such accusations and has dismissed claims of carrying out hybrid attacks in Europe.
Separately, just after midnight on Tuesday, NATO fighter jets intercepted and shot down a drone that breached Lithuanian airspace after entering from neighboring Belarus. The drone was heading west before being downed near the village of Pratkunai, outside the city of Kaunas. An emergency warning was issued to residents in Vilnius, Trakai, and Elektrėnai prior to the drone's destruction.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda thanked Allied personnel for their swift response, emphasizing the need for readiness in the region as Russia intensifies its aggression. Lithuania's Ministry of Defence confirmed the swift and responsible response from its armed forces and Italian pilots serving in the NATO Air Defence Mission.
Drone sightings had been reported in Lithuania on Sunday, with one object appearing to have entered from Belarus and traveled across the country before entering Russian airspace. Additionally, on Monday night, Poland reported "aviation operations" in its airspace due to the activity of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles striking Ukrainian territory. These measures were described as preventive to secure airspace, particularly in areas adjacent to threatened regions.