Denmark Accuses Russian Navy of Repeated Provocations in Baltic Straits

Danish military intelligence has accused Russia of conducting a series of deliberate naval provocations in the narrow waterways connecting the Baltic Sea to the North Sea.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Reuters.

Thomas Arenkiel, Director of Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service, said Russian warships have repeatedly acted aggressively toward Danish naval forces in recent months, including locking weapons systems onto Danish aircraft, interfering with navigation signals, and sailing dangerously close to Danish vessels.

“We have seen several incidents in the Danish straits, where Danish air force helicopters and naval vessels have been targeted by tracking radars and physically pointed at with weapons from Russian warships,” Arenkiel said.

He added that one Russian vessel remained anchored in Danish waters for over a week, an unusual move that he interpreted as a signal of Moscow’s willingness to interfere if Denmark attempts to curb the movement of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” – tankers used to bypass Western oil sanctions.

According to Danish intelligence, several Russian warships were also observed transiting through the straits with sonar and signal-jamming equipment. Arenkiel said it was “highly likely” that at least one of these vessels disrupted GPS signals, causing significant interference across parts of Denmark.

The Danish Defense Intelligence Service assesses that Russia is conducting a hybrid campaign against Denmark and the wider Western alliance, combining intimidation, electronic warfare, and disinformation to exert pressure without triggering open conflict.

“Russia is using military means, including in an aggressive way, to put pressure on us without crossing the line into armed conflict in a traditional sense,” Arenkiel warned.

Despite these provocations, Danish officials stressed that there is no immediate military threat to Denmark. The revelations come as NATO increases surveillance and patrols in the Baltic Sea following reports of unidentified drones near critical infrastructure in several regional countries, including Denmark. 

As The Gaze reported earlier, joint military exercises aimed at strengthening Europe’s defenses against aerial threats have begun in Denmark, with Ukrainian troops sharing frontline experience in countering drones.