Tensions Rise in Baltic Sea as Russia Fires Warning Shots at German Helicopter
A Russian tanker fired signal ammunition at a German army helicopter on December 4, sparking worries about the stability of the region. The incident occurred while the helicopter was conducting surveillance over the Baltic Sea.
The Russian tanker allegedly used signal ammunition to deter the German helicopter from flying in the area. This type of ammunition is usually used in emergency situations. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that this kind of behavior is unacceptable.
Germany‘s Ministry of Defense said that it’s not uncommon for there to be incidents where air or sea regulations are broken. However, they didn’t comment on the specific details of this case. The ministry noted that their main goal is to de-escalate and calm down such situations.
The Russian tanker was reportedly accompanied by a warship during the incident. Baerbock expressed concerns about ships trying to avoid Western sanctions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While there is no direct evidence linking the tanker to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” NATO sources stated that the German frigate with the helicopter was not operating under NATO’s authority.
In response to this and other regional concerns, Baerbock announced plans to increase surveillance in the Baltic Sea. This includes focusing on critical infrastructure such as pipelines and data cables, which are vulnerable to hybrid threats from Russia and its allies.
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