Russian ambassador accuses Denmark of provoking Russian frigate that fired at Danish helicopter

Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin has said that Russia plans to investigate the circumstances of an incident involving a helicopter being fired upon, but accused the Danish military of a "provocation" over its manoeuvres near a Russian frigate.

Source: European Pravda, citing comments by Barbin reported by DR

Quote from Barbin: "Attempts by the Danish side to explain the helicopter's provocative actions towards the Russian frigate as 'routine practice' raise serious concerns about the potential consequences of such recklessness."

Details: The ambassador claimed that this was not the first time the Danish military had "carried out dangerous manoeuvres near Russian naval vessels" and that the Danish helicopter had "behaved provocatively".

Barbin also claimed that Copenhagen had never shown any interest in preventing escalation at sea or strengthening mutual trust.

"Russia's repeated proposals to explore the possibility of an agreement on preventing incidents at sea, which would cover both the sea and the airspace above these waters, have consistently been rejected by the Danish side," the ambassador said.

Meanwhile, the Danish Defence Ministry stressed that the Armed Forces helicopter had entirely legitimate reasons for manoeuvring in the area.

Background:

• Denmark summoned the Russian ambassador after a Russian frigate fired two flares towards a Danish helicopter on 14 September.
• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, commenting on the incident, said that Russia had stepped up its hybrid warfare against Europe.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!