Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has awarded the commander of the Soobrazitelny corvette for what the Defence Ministry described as “competent and decisive actions” in preventing a “provocation” by a Danish Air Force helicopter in the Baltic Sea.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the incident occurred on September 14, when the corvette, operating in the southwestern Baltic Sea, detected an aerial target identified as a Danish Air Force Fennec helicopter. The ministry said the helicopter was approaching the Russian warship and failed to respond to calls over an international communications channel.
The ministry noted the corvette’s commander ordered the launch of two red signal flares to prevent what it characterized as a provocation. The helicopter subsequently left the area, according to the Russian account.
Denmark’s Armed Forces said on September 15 that a Russian warship had fired two signal flares toward a Danish military helicopter, with one passing in close proximity to the aircraft. Denmark’s Foreign Ministry described the incident as “completely unacceptable” and summoned Russian Ambassador Vladimir Barbin.
Barbin blamed the Danish side, saying the incident was triggered by “dangerous maneuvers” by the Danish aircraft. Denmark’s Defence Ministry, however, said the Fennec was carrying out a routine mission to photograph a frigate operating in international waters off the Danish coast.
The incident took place in a strategically important Baltic Sea maritime corridor that serves as a major route for regional shipping and oil transportation.
By Vafa Guliyeva
