Key facts
- Denmark is speeding up a donation to Ukraine following an incident involving a Russian warship.
- A Russian warship fired flares toward a Danish military helicopter in international waters.
- The new support package for Ukraine is worth an estimated 1.8 billion Danish crowns ($276 million).
- The funds will be used for air defenses.
- Denmark's Defence Minister stated the response is to increase support for Ukraine.
- Denmark is a leading provider of financial aid to Ukraine on a per-capita basis.
COPENHAGEN, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Denmark is accelerating a donation to Ukraine in response to a recent incident where a Russian warship fired flares toward a Danish military helicopter, narrowly missing the aircraft. The Danish government announced on Friday that the new support package for Ukraine is worth an estimated 1.8 billion Danish crowns ($276 million) and will be used for air defenses.
On Monday, Denmark stated that a Russian frigate fired flares without warning at the helicopter as it attempted to photograph the ship in international waters. Moscow, in turn, accused Denmark of conducting dangerous maneuvers near its vessel.
"If the Russians think they can rattle us... then our response is to ramp up our support for Ukraine faster than we had intended," Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus told reporters. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen added, "If anyone thinks they can pressure us to hold back on our support for Ukraine, they are mistaken."
Denmark has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and is a leading financial aid provider on a per-capita basis.