Danish military helicopter targeted by Russian flares in the Baltic Sea

On September 14, 2026, a Russian frigate operating in international waters off the Danish coast launched two flares toward a Danish Fennec military helicopter. The aircraft was conducting a routine mission to photograph the Russian vessel when one of the flares passed in close proximity to it. Danish authorities characterized the incident as an irresponsible act of intimidation.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen condemned the maneuver as unacceptable, noting that it endangered human lives and reflected a pattern of Russia shifting the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also issued a strong statement, emphasizing that such actions would not lead Denmark to back down. In response to the provocation, Denmark has summoned the Russian ambassador for a formal meeting to address the incident. The Russian embassy has not yet provided a public response to the allegations.