Russian frigate fired signal flares at Danish military helicopter

A Russian frigate fired two pyrotechnic signal flares in the direction of a Danish Air Force military helicopter that was observing the ship in international waters near Gedser. One of them passed at a short distance from the helicopter.

The incident was reported by the Danish Armed Forces command.

A Danish Fennec military helicopter on September 14 was performing a planned task of photographing a Russian frigate that was in international waters near Gedser in southern Denmark.

During the flight, the Russian ship fired two so-called flares in the direction of the helicopter. One of them passed close to the Fennec. As a result of the incident, none of the crew members were injured, and the helicopter was not damaged. 

The Danish Armed Forces clarified that flares are pyrotechnic devices that at sea are usually used as signals to attract attention. That is, they are not combat missiles.

Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus called the incident serious and said it demonstrates Russia's increasing readiness for risky actions. According to him, the behavior of the Russian ship's crew was "very unprofessional".

Following the incident, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to summon the Russian ambassador Vladimir Barbin for an explanation. At the same time, Bruus stressed that Denmark does not intend to stop monitoring Russian ships near its waters.

"We have a completely legitimate task to monitor what is happening, and the Armed Forces will continue to carry it out in the future", - said the minister.

Sources: Danish Armed Forces, Ritzau