Russian Frigate Fires Flares Within Metres of Danish Military Helicopter

Denmark says a Russian frigate fired two emergency flares towards a Danish military helicopter conducting surveillance over international waters.

One of the flares reportedly passed within metres of the Fennec helicopter.

The Danish aircraft was carrying out routine photographic surveillance of Russian naval vessels when the incident occurred.

Denmark has summoned Russia’s ambassador over the encounter and accused Russian forces of increasingly aggressive behaviour.

Moscow disputes Copenhagen’s account.

Russia says Danish helicopters were conducting dangerous manoeuvres around its warships and has rejected Danish claims about responsibility for the incident.

The flares were warning devices, not missiles.

Firing them at close range nevertheless created a potential danger to the aircraft and its crew.

The encounter adds to a series of increasingly close interactions between Russian and NATO forces around northern Europe.

Neither side needs to intend a wider confrontation for an incident at close quarters to escalate.

This time, the result is a diplomatic protest.

Source

• Reuters – Denmark says Russian frigate fired flares towards military helicopter