EU accuses Russia of firing flares at Danish frigate and downing drone over Lithuania

The European Union on Tuesday accused Russia of “reckless” firing of flares at a Danish frigate operating in the Baltic Sea, an incident that follows the recent downing of a drone over Lithuanian airspace. The flare incident, reported by Denmark’s naval forces, raised concerns about the safety of NATO vessels operating near contested waters and added to growing unease across the continent as the Ukraine‑Russia war continues to spill over into neighboring regions.

Danish analysts, cited by FRANCE 24’s Copenhagen correspondent Trine Villemann, are urging both NATO and the EU to intensify their response to Russian provocations, arguing that the escalation underscores the need for a coordinated defensive posture. The calls come amid heightened diplomatic pressure on Moscow and a broader debate within the alliance about how to deter further incidents while maintaining regional stability.