Denmark Accuses Russian Navy Of Aggressive Manoeuvres & GPS Jamming In Baltic Straits

Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service (FE) has reported a series of aggressive manoeuvres by Russian naval forces in the Danish straits, the narrow sea passages linking the Baltic Sea to the North Sea.

The agency warned that the incidents, involving aimed weapons, radar tracking, and navigation interference, pose a serious risk of unintended escalation in an already tense region.

According to the FE’s findings released on Friday, Russian warships have repeatedly sailed on near-collision courses with Danish naval vessels and directed weapons at both ships and air force helicopters during their passage through the straits.

The intelligence service described these actions as deliberate provocations that reflect Moscow’s increasingly assertive behaviour in northern European waters.

Thomas Ahrenkiel, head of the Danish Defence Intelligence Service, told reporters that Danish naval and air force units had been targeted several times by Russian tracking radars and weapons systems. He added that the Russian navy had shown “aggressive intent” by navigating dangerously close to Danish ships while transiting the area.

Ahrenkiel also revealed that a Russian warship has remained anchored in Danish waters for more than a week. He suggested that the vessel’s prolonged stay could indicate a possible Russian attempt to interfere with Denmark’s monitoring of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet”, a group of tankers believed to be used to bypass Western sanctions on Russian oil exports imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The Danish straits are a crucial international shipping route, heavily used by commercial and military vessels. Russian naval movements through the passage are common and are typically accompanied by Danish naval escorts.

FE reported that Russian warships passing through the Danish straits were equipped with sonar and electronic jamming systems. According to Thomas Ahrenkiel, it is “highly probable” these ships caused GPS disruptions in Denmark on at least one occasion.

Denmark’s intelligence service believes that Russia is using hybrid warfare tactics to undermine and intimidate Western nations. These methods, it said, combine military demonstrations with cyber interference, disinformation, espionage, and sabotage without starting open conflict.

Moscow denied the accusations. President Vladimir Putin called the claims “nonsense” and joked that he would not send drones over Denmark again.

The White House described the Danish findings as a serious matter. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. is monitoring the situation closely and remains in constant contact with NATO allies about security in the Baltic region.

Despite the provocations, Danish authorities have clarified that there is no immediate military threat to the country. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently described a separate series of drone incursions over Danish airports and military bases as a “hybrid attack,” while Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said investigations were ongoing to determine who was responsible.

Hybrid threats such as cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation have become a major concern in Europe, with Western intelligence agencies warning that Russia is increasingly relying on these tactics.

Reference: Reuters

Source: Maritime Shipping News