Danish and Russian officials trade accusations over Baltic Sea flare incident

On September 14, 2026, a Russian frigate fired two flares toward a Danish Fennec military helicopter in international waters off the coast of Denmark. The Danish military reported that the aircraft was conducting a routine mission to photograph the Russian vessel when the pyrotechnics, typically used as warning signals, were deployed in close proximity. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned the action as irresponsible, while Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called it unacceptable and confirmed that the Russian ambassador has been summoned for a meeting regarding the safety risks posed to human life.

In response, the Russian ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, dismissed the claims and accused the Danish helicopter of performing provocative maneuvers near the frigate. Barbin stated that such behavior from the Danish side is the true cause of communication problems in the region and noted that Moscow has previously filed formal protests against similar encounters involving Danish aircraft. The Russian embassy maintained that the responsibility for the incident lies with the Danish side, framing the helicopter's presence as an unsafe provocation rather than a routine exercise.