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Danish Helicopter Fired On by Russian Frigate in Baltic Sea
Confirmed
In Short: A Russian frigate fired flares at a Danish Fennec helicopter in international waters off Gedser, prompting a Danish government summons to the Russian ambassador.
A Russian frigate fired flares at a Danish Fennec helicopter in international waters off Gedser on September 14, 2026, according to reports. The incident occurred during a routine photographic operation by the Danish helicopter, which was tracking the Russian vessel. The Danish Defence Command confirmed the encounter but did not provide further details, including the identity of the frigate or the exact location of the incident.
In response, Russian ambassador Vladimir Barbin said Moscow would "thoroughly investigate all the circumstances of the incident" but accused Denmark of "recklessness" and "provocative actions." The incident has raised tensions in the Baltic region, with other countries in the area also reporting similar encounters. Poland announced "aviation operations" in its airspace due to the activity of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles conducting strikes on Ukrainian territory.
The Danish government has accused a Russian warship of firing two emergency flares at one of its helicopters while it was tracking the vessel in the Baltic Sea. Gedser, the location of the incident, lies at the southern tip of the island of Falster, on the approaches to the Danish straits that carry traffic in and out of the Baltic. The Fennec is a light observation helicopter operated by the Royal Danish Air Force from Karup Air Base in central Jutland.
What's confirmed
- In a statement detailing the incident in the Baltic Sea, the Danish armed forces said: "One of the air force's Fennec helicopters was today fired at with flares during a routine photographic operation of a Russian frigate, which was located in international waters off Gedser." Of the two flares fired at the helicopter, one passed close to it, the statement added.
- The Danish foreign ministry described the incident as "completely unacceptable".
What's still developing
- He said the crew was unhurt and the helicopter was undamaged.
- The Danish Armed Forces had a legitimate task monitoring activity around the country, he said, and would continue carrying it out.
- He said he had complained about a similar incident last year, adding that the latest event showed that "communication problems lie not with the Russian Navy's vessels, but with the Danish side".
- Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus told Reuters no attempt to make contact with helicopters had been made by the frigate's crew.
- The origins of the drone are yet to be determined, the Lithuanian national crisis management centre said, but the country's president pointed to increased Russian aggression in recent months.
- Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen branded the Russian action "reckless" and said it was designed to "intimidate and divide".
- “Reckless actions by Russia against Danish military personnel during a routine flight yesterday. Russia’s actions are intended to intimidate and divide. They will not succeed. We will not waver,” Frederiksen wrote on X. | BGNES The content of this web site, such as texts, video, graphics and images, may only be used with the written consent of BGNES.
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned what happened.