The story

A Russian frigate fired two flares at a Danish air force helicopter on Monday while the aircraft was conducting routine photographic coverage of the warship in international waters off the coast of southern Denmark, the Danish military said. One flare passed close to the helicopter, coming within a matter of meters according to Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus. No warning or radio contact was given before the flares were fired, Bruus told Reuters.

Denmark's foreign minister summoned Russia's ambassador Vladimir Barbin over the incident. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called it reckless action, saying Russian actions are meant to intimidate and divide. Barbin said Russia would thoroughly investigate all the circumstances and accused the Danish military of regularly carrying out dangerous maneuvers near Russian warships in international waters.

Separately, NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace overnight near the village of Pratkūnai, about 60 miles west of Vilnius, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center said Tuesday. It marked the first time a drone had been shot down in the country's airspace, Lithuania's military said. Antanas Matutis, commander of the Lithuanian air force, said the wreckage had been found and the drone likely was carrying explosives.