Helicopter Provokes Anger in Moscow.. Summoning of the Danish Ambassador

On Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Danish ambassador to protest what it described as dangerous maneuvers carried out by a Danish helicopter near a Russian frigate, in an incident that occurred on September 14, during which the frigate fired flares towards the helicopter, according to Copenhagen. Moscow denied responsibility for the incident and held the helicopter accountable.

The Danish defense command stated that a "Phoenix" helicopter from the air force was conducting a routine photographic mission of the Russian frigate in international waters off Giedser in the Baltic Sea, and that the frigate fired flares towards it, one of which passed closely by. The helicopter sustained no damage and none of its crew were harmed, according to Agence France-Presse.

Copenhagen had summoned the Russian ambassador on September 15. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described the incident as completely unacceptable and potentially endangering lives, stating that Russia is gradually pushing the boundaries of what it considers acceptable behavior. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen viewed the incident as serious but not surprising, and stated that it falls within a rising "hybrid" campaign being waged by Moscow against the European Union and NATO.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement that the Danish ambassador to Moscow was summoned to the ministry on September 30, and the diplomat was informed that the Russian side considers the dangerous maneuvers carried out by the Danish air force helicopter a blatant violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ministry warned that such actions could lead to escalating tensions and create the risk of a serious incident. It described the Danish accusations as unfounded.

The Russian Defense Ministry had stated that the helicopter approached the ship and did not respond to calls via the international communication channel. Copenhagen did not issue an immediate response to the summoning of the ambassador.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions between Russia and European countries supporting Ukraine, including Denmark, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. NATO has accused Russia of launching an escalating campaign of hybrid warfare against European supporters of Kyiv, a charge that Moscow rejects.

The Danish straits are the main outlet for commercial and military navigation to and from the Baltic Sea, and they are also a major artery for global oil shipments, including the Russian "shadow fleet" tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions. This incident is not the first of its kind in the region, as a helicopter operating from the German frigate "Nordrhein-Westfalen" faced red flares fired by a Russian ship in November 2024 during a Baltic escort mission.