Security incidents linked to Russia intensify across Europe: drone downed in Lithuania, flares fired at Danish helicopter
Lithuania has briefed EU and Nato allies after Italian fighter jets shot down a drone in its airspace overnight, while Denmark summoned Russia's ambassador over a warship firing flares at a Danish military helicopter.
Lithuanian defence minister Kęstutis Budrys said he informed Nato allies about an overnight incident in which Italian fighter jets, part of a Nato mission, shot down a drone believed to have flown in from Belarus. He said Lithuania would request discussions on the matter at both EU and Nato level, adding that allies still have considerable work to do on security. Lithuania's president Gitanas Nausėda said such readiness is vital for the region given Russia's intensifying aggression against Ukraine.
Incident in Denmark
Denmark summoned Russia's ambassador after a Russian warship fired two emergency flares at a Danish army helicopter during what Copenhagen described as a routine monitoring flight over the Baltic Sea. Prime minister Mette Frederiksen called the move reckless, meant to intimidate and divide, and said it would not succeed. Foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described the frigate's behaviour as completely unacceptable. Former defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the incident is further proof of Russia's extremely aggressive behaviour aimed at provoking conflict, and a new all-party meeting was called to brief political leaders.
Other incidents in the region
Poland found the remains of a suspected Russian drone near its Baltic coast, a day after a Russian drone hit a train near Ukraine's border with Poland. In the Netherlands, authorities are investigating a major rail network outage after objects were placed on tracks at 13 locations, suspecting possible sabotage; the disruption also affected road traffic at several level crossings. The incidents come amid a broader deterioration of Europe's security situation.
