The Danish military intelligence service has accused Russian naval vessels of repeated aggressive actions in the Danish straits connecting the Baltic and North Seas. Provocations included targeting Danish ships and helicopters with weaponry, dangerous maneuvers threatening collisions, and jamming navigation systems. This was reported by Reuters.
Amid rising tensions in the Baltic region due to incidents involving underwater cables and airspace violations, Denmark has reported a new series of deliberate provocations by the Russian Navy.
Danish military intelligence director Thomas Arentkiel presented specific facts regarding the aggressive behavior of Russian forces at a special press conference.
"We have witnessed several incidents in the Danish straits where Danish Air Force helicopters and naval vessels were targeted by radar tracking systems, and weaponry was physically aimed at them from Russian warships," he stated.
According to him, Russian ships have also deliberately approached collision courses with Danish vessels during their passage through the straits.
Arentkiel noted that one Russian warship has been anchored in Danish waters for over a week. Intelligence considers this a signal from Moscow to use force if Denmark attempts to restrict the movement of the Russian "shadow fleet" – tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions on oil exports.
Additionally, intelligence has detected the passage of Russian vessels through the straits with active sonar and electronic countermeasure equipment. Arentkiel stated that it is "highly likely" that at least in one instance, they caused significant disruptions to GPS operations within Denmark.
"Russia is employing military means, including aggressive tactics, to exert pressure on us without crossing the threshold of armed conflict in the traditional sense," Arentkiel summarized, labeling these actions as part of a hybrid war against Denmark and the West.
On Friday, the White House stated that it takes the reports of Russian naval provocations against Denmark "very seriously."
"The administration is continuously monitoring the situation. The White House National Security Council maintains regular communication with our NATO allies, and the president is in touch with many of them," press secretary Caroline Levitt told reporters.
Background: The day before, The Telegraph released analysis results of the route taken by the tanker Boracay, linked to Russia's "shadow fleet." Its movement through the Baltic Sea suspiciously coincides with dates of unidentified drones appearing over strategic sites in Denmark and Germany.