EU calls Russia ‘reckless’ after flares fired at Danish helicopter
The European Union has condemned Russia for firing flares at a Danish frigate in international waters, labeling the act as reckless. This incident, combined with the downing of a drone over Lithuania, has heightened regional tensions amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.
Why it matters
Escalating military provocations near NATO borders increase the risk of direct conflict between Russia and Western alliances.
The European Union accused Russia on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) of the "reckless" firing of flares at a Danish frigate, which, with the shooting down of a drone over Lithuania , heightened the continent's anxiety over the Ukraine-Russia war .
Amid a mounting security showdown, the Kremlin in turn focused its diplomatic fire on France's initiative to bring European countries under its nuclear umbrella, insisting it was "creating risks".
Denmark and Russia blamed each other for the flares fired at a Danish military helicopter monitoring a Russian frigate on Monday (September 14).
The Danish armed forces said that an air force Fennec helicopter was "fired at with flares during a routine photographic operation of a Russian frigate, which was located in international waters off Gedser", Denmark's southernmost town.
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