Russian Flares Fly Close to Danish Military Helicopter

On Monday, a Russian vessel fired two flares toward a Danish military helicopter over international waters off the coast of Denmark. One of them flew very close to the helicopter, the Danish Defense Command reported.

The Fennec helicopter was on a routine mission during which it was photographing a frigate. Flares are pyrotechnic devices used at sea primarily as a warning signal.

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the incident unacceptable and warned that it could have endangered human lives. According to him, Denmark is striving to ensure the peaceful passage of all ships through its waters, but Russia is gradually pushing the boundaries of what it considers acceptable behavior.

The Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in connection with the incident. The Russian Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reuters, bak)