Russian flares near Danish helicopter spark diplomatic dispute

Russian flares fired near a Danish military helicopter have sparked a diplomatic dispute between Moscow and Copenhagen, with both sides trading accusations over the incident in the Baltic Sea.

A Russian frigate fired two flares that narrowly missed a Danish Fennec helicopter while it was carrying out a routine mission to photograph the Russian warship sailing in international waters off Denmark, according to Danish defence authorities.

Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin said on Tuesday that he had delivered a formal diplomatic note to the Danish authorities, calling for measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Barbin accused the Danish helicopter of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near the Russian warship and described its actions as provocative. He rejected Denmark’s characterisation of the helicopter’s mission as routine.

Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus, however, said one of the flares passed within a matter of metres of the helicopter. He described the incident as “deeply unprofessional seamanship.”

Danish defence authorities said ships commonly use flares as warning signals, while maintaining that the helicopter was conducting a routine operation.

Despite the incident, Bruus said Denmark would not seek consultations under Article 5 of the NATO treaty.

“We are not there,” he told TV 2 News, while stressing that the incident was being taken seriously.

Barbin also referred to a similar complaint made by Russia last year over what Moscow described as dangerous low-level flying and close manoeuvres by a Danish helicopter over the Russian warship Vice-Admiral Kulakov.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the latest incident, saying he did not have sufficient information.

The Danish Straits are a key maritime gateway between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and are strategically important for regional shipping, including the movement of Russian oil tankers.

The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in the Baltic region, where NATO members have closely monitored Russian military activity and alleged hybrid operations. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that Russia seeks to create fear and division in Europe, while Moscow has rejected allegations of conducting hybrid attacks.

The latest incident adds to growing tensions between Russia and Denmark and highlights the increased military sensitivity in the Baltic Sea.