A Russian frigate fired two flares near a Danish military helicopter off the coast of Denmark on Monday, an incident Denmark's foreign minister called "unacceptable." The helicopter was on a routine photographic mission when one of the flares passed close by, prompting Copenhagen to summon Russia's ambassador.
The incident highlights escalating tensions between Russia and NATO members, with Denmark viewing the actions as part of a broader hybrid warfare campaign aimed at intimidating European nations and sowing discord.
A Russian frigate fired two flares near a Danish military helicopter in international waters off the coast of Denmark on Monday, an incident that Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described as "completely unacceptable." The Danish helicopter was on a routine mission to photograph the frigate when one of the flares passed within a short distance of the aircraft. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the incident is part of an increasingly aggressive and assertive Russia intensifying hybrid warfare against Europe. In response, Denmark summoned Russia's ambassador to discuss the actions of the frigate's crew.