Russian warship fires signal flares at Danish military helicopter

The incident occurred on Sept. 14, in international airspace south of the Danish town of Gedser. A Royal Danish Air Force AS-550 Fennec helicopter was targeted while conducting routine aerial photographic surveillance of the Russian naval vessel operating in international waters.

The Russian warship launched two pyrotechnic signal flares directly toward the aircraft. One of the projectiles passed extremely close to the airframe, Danish military authorities confirmed. Neither the flight crew sustained injuries nor was the helicopter damaged.

Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus strongly condemned the maritime provocation, announcing that Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is summoning the Russian ambassador for formal diplomatic reprimand.

"This is a serious incident that Denmark treats with great gravity," Bruus stated.

"To my knowledge, this is the first time we have encountered an incident of this nature, and it clearly demonstrates that the Russians are becoming increasingly willing to take risks. It is a serious incident, and that is precisely why we are summoning the Russian ambassador."

On Sept. 3, Emil Gresholm, head of counterintelligence at the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET), revealed that intelligence operatives uncovered concrete operational plans and preparatory actions orchestrated by Russian intelligence to conduct sabotage operations targeting Danish defense industrial facilities.