OMM Redaksiyası
A Danish military helicopter came within just a few meters of being hit by flares fired while it was photographing a Russian warship in international waters.
Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus said the Russian warship fired two flares toward the helicopter on Monday. One of them passed very close to the Fennec military aircraft.
Bruus said the Russian side issued no warning and did not establish radio contact before firing. The minister said the helicopter had been flying along a routine surveillance route used repeatedly to photograph the Russian frigate.
Russia, meanwhile, accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous maneuvers” near its vessel and said it was investigating the incident.
Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, said Moscow would conduct a thorough investigation. He said this was not the first time Danish military helicopters had carried out dangerous maneuvers near Russian warships in international waters.
Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Russia’s ambassador over the incident. The event occurred off the coast of Gedser during a routine surveillance mission.
Flares are commonly used by military aircraft and vessels as countermeasures or signaling devices. International waters are areas beyond a country’s territorial sea, although military operations in such areas can still raise diplomatic and security concerns.
