Russian warship 'fires at' German helicopter: NATO reconnaissance aircraft incident over Baltic Sea sparks new conflict escalation fears

A Russian warship has fired warning shots at a German helicopter carrying out patrols over the Baltic Sea, it has been reported. 

The crew of the Russian ship fired signal ammunition, the German Press Agency in Brussels has learned. 

According to the German newspaper Bild, the warning shots were fired at the NATO reconnaissance aircraft but this is yet to be confirmed.

Signal ammunition is typically utilized as a means of issuing warning shots rather than launching an attack. However, this particular incident serves as an indication of the increasingly closer proximity between NATO and Russia, potentially leading to a direct confrontation.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock mentioned the incident at a NATO meeting but did not give further details. 

However, a spokesperson for the German ministry of defence has so far been unable to confirm the reports of signal ammunition being fired. 

Recent events have witnessed a notable escalation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine within the last couple of weeks. The UK and US have both granted authorization for Kyiv to engage in firing western-manufactured missiles across the border.

Former Russian president and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev even declared late last month that NATO and the US is at ‘full war’ with Russia. 

A Russian warship has fired warning shots at a German helicopter carrying out patrols over the Baltic Sea (file photo)

A Russian warship has fired warning shots at a German helicopter carrying out patrols over the Baltic Sea (file photo)

NATO is currently carrying out increased surveillance in the Baltic Sea to prevent hybrid attacks on pipelines and data cables by Russia and its supporters (pictured Vladimir Putin)

NATO is currently engaged in heightened surveillance activities in the Baltic Sea region. The objective is to thwart potential hybrid attacks targeting pipelines and data cables orchestrated by Russia and its allies, a move necessitated by the escalating tensions in the area (depicted: Vladimir Putin).

NATO is currently carrying out increased surveillance in the Baltic Sea to prevent hybrid attacks on pipelines and data cables by Russia and its supporters.

The Baltic Sea is bordered by eight NATO countries and Russia.

There have been at least three incidents of possible sabotage to the 40-odd telecommunication cables and critical gas pipelines that run along its relatively shallow seabed since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.

‘NATO is stepping up patrols,…allies are investing in innovative technologies that can help better secure these assets,’ Commander Arlo Abrahamson, a spokesperson for NATO’s Allied Maritime Command previously said. 

Yet the ease with which a ship’s anchor can slice through a cable, coupled with the often-treacherous sea conditions, makes actual prevention of such attacks almost impossible.

The firing of warning shots today comes former Russian president and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev declared that the he West crossed ‘all red lines’ and is now ‘at war with Russia’. 

Medvedev, a close Putin ally who now serves as the Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said that every Ukrainian strike on Russian territory with Western weapons would be met with a response.

The crew of the Russian ship fired signal ammunition at the helicopter that was on a reconnaissance mission, according to the German newspaper Bild (file photo)

The crew of the Russian ship fired signal ammunition at the helicopter that was on a reconnaissance mission, according to the German newspaper Bild (file photo)

Germany's Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock speaks during a press briefing after meeting China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing

Germany’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock speaks during a press briefing after meeting China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing

‘It’s not going to go unnoticed… It will change the rules of engagement – it’s proof that NATO and Washington and other participants in the alliance are not just participating in a hybrid war, but a war in every sense of the word against our country.

‘Negotiations are a long way off, events like this could push those negotiations back even further,’ he told Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya.

‘Any strikes on Russia are unequivocally unacceptable. What happened was a crossing of all red lines.’

It comes as the ex-chief of MI6 admitted Britain must ‘face up to the fact’ the Kremlin feels it is fighting a war with the West, rather than just Ukraine.

Sir Richard Dearlove, who led Britain’s secret intelligence service from 1999 – 2004, told Sky News this week: ‘(Polish Prime Minister) Donald Tusk has referred to it as a pre-war situation. I think he’s wrong. I think it’s an actual war.’

He went on to justify his statement by referring to examples of Russian hybrid warfare on countries across Europe involving sabotage plots, cyber-attacks and ‘very aggressive moves’.

Meanwhile in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Kyiv’s army is registering sky-high rates of desertions as Russian forces continue to grind westward. 

Prosecutors opened up 60,000 cases in the first 10 months of this year against soldiers found to have deserted their posts – almost double as many cases initiated across all of 2022 and 2023 combined, the Financial Times reported. 

In an effort to stem the flow, Ukraine has upped its recruitment efforts, setting a bold target of signing up another 160,000 men to support war-weary frontline units in the next three months.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior Kremlin security official, pictured with Vladimir Putin

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior Kremlin security official, pictured with Vladimir Putin

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired as part of Russia's nuclear drills from a launch site in Plesetsk, northwestern Russia

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired as part of Russia’s nuclear drills from a launch site in Plesetsk, northwestern Russia

Residents stand next to their house damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, on the outskirts of Odesa, Ukraine November 28, 2024

Residents stand next to their house damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, on the outskirts of Odesa, Ukraine November 28, 2024

The shocking rates of desertion were revealed as Vladimir Putin’s forces move inexorably further into Ukraine, aiming to seize as much territory as possible ahead of Donald Trump‘s imminent return to the White House with both sides expecting Washington to push for ceasefire talks early next year.

Although their ranks are suffering heavy casualties, the Russian army is advancing at a rate faster than at any other time after the initial days of the 2022 invasion, taking an area half the size of London in November.

The bleak circumstances led Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s wartime foreign minister until he resigned in September, to declare that Kyiv ‘will lose the war’ unless a major reversal of fortunes can be realised.

The incident today is also the latest in a number of close calls between Russian and NATO forces. 

In September a Russian aircraft came dangerously close to a U.S. fighter jet sent to intercept them off the coast of Alaska.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked four Russian military aircrafts operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on September 23.

NORAD scrambled four F-16s fighters and a reconnaissance aircraft to escort the Russian formation through the zone, a spokesperson told Alaska Public Media.

Video of the interaction shows one Russian jet soaring past an American aircraft, quickly banking left and right.

‘The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all – not what you’d see in a professional air force,’ said Gen. Gregory Guillot.

Meanwhile in March last year, a Russian fighter jet crashed a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea.

Drone camera footage shows the terrifying confrontation as an Su-27 jet approaches from behind, clips its propeller and dumps fuel over it in international airspace.

The clip was released on the back of a report that the ‘highest levels’ of the Kremlin signed off on the aggressive behavior of the jets during the intercept.

This incident marked the first direct confrontation between Russia and the US since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder: Words on ammo in shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend

CEO of UnitedHealthcare killed with bullets inscribed with phrase reflecting company’s strategy: Delay, Deny, Defend

A message discovered at the scene where a health insurance executive was…
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad?

Understanding Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader behind the rebellion that removed Syria’s Assad.

BEIRUT — Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader whose stunning insurgency toppled…
Crocodile Dundee star Linda Kozlowski is seen in rare sighting almost 25 years after leaving Hollywood behind

Linda Kozlowski, known for her role in Crocodile Dundee, spotted after nearly 25 years away from Hollywood

She famously bid adieu to Hollywood nearly 25 years ago and has…
Gerald Radford, charged in alleged hate crime shooting of gay man John 'Walt' Lay, in Tampa, Florida, claims self-defense

Man Accused of Hate Crime Shooting of Gay Victim in Tampa, Florida, Says Act Was Self-Defense

TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man accused of a hate crime for…
The 2024 Kennedy Center Honors: Queen Latifah, The Grateful Dead, more

2024 Kennedy Center Honors lineup includes Queen Latifah and The Grateful Dead

1 1 of 29 Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir, and Mickey Hart of…
Can Trump end birthright citizenship? The 14th amendment upheld in the US constitution since 1868

Will Trump be able to abolish birthright citizenship? The 14th amendment has been safeguarded in the US constitution since 1868.

Donald Trump wants to get rid of 14th Amendment birthright protections as…
Trump Names Fierce Attorney Who Defended Him in Multiple Cases As 'Counselor to the President'

Attorney Who Defended Trump in Multiple Cases Appointed as ‘Counselor to the President’

She fully understands the “Weaponization of the ‘Injustice’ System,” the Trump-Vance transition…
Where is Austin Tice? Missing Houston native may still be alive 12 years after being captured by Syrian forces, family says

The whereabouts of Austin Tice remain unknown. Family believes Houston native, who was taken by Syrian forces 12 years ago, could still be alive.

HOUSTON, Texas — The family of Austin Tice, a Marine veteran and…
Meghan Markle's billionaire friend Tyler Perry gives frosty answer when asked about lending Duchess of Sussex his LA home

Tyler Perry’s Response to Questions About Lending Meghan Markle His LA Home is Cold

Tyler Perry gave a frosty answer when asked about lending his LA mansion…
Democratic strategist reveals exactly why Kamala lost as he gives dark warning about the party's future

Expert explains why Kamala Harris lost the election and warns about the future of the Democratic Party

A Democratic strategist key to President Obama’s win over John McCain has…
Dems rip Biden for fumbling main priority in final weeks as Trump steals the spotlight on world stage: 'The lamest of lame ducks'

Criticism from Democrats over Biden’s mishandling of key issues in the last weeks, as Trump dominates the global platform: ‘A weak and ineffective leader’

Amid a flurry of high-profile meetings and bold policy declarations by Donald…
Beack Park crime: Ricardo Carcamo-Ortega of Waukegan arrested after cutting person with box cutter, threatened child: sheriff

Tragic Cicero Shooting Results in One Fatality and Six Injuries in Lawndale, Chicago, Says Officials

One person has died and at least six others have been injured…