A Russian warship fired signal ammunition at a German army helicopter, raising fears of a potential World War III.
The incident occurred during a reconnaissance mission by the German military aircraft, amid rising hostilities between Russia and NATO countries.
According to reports from the German Press Agency, the Russian crew used signal ammunition, typically reserved for emergencies, showing the seriousness of the encounter.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock confirmed the event at a NATO conference, stating, "Many Russian ships in the Baltic Sea have been involved in circumventing sanctions."
The backdrop to this incident includes recent attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, such as the damage to two fibre optic cables connecting Sweden, Lithuania, Finland, and Germany.
Investigations have pointed to a Chinese vessel, Yi Peng 3, which was present in the area at the time of the damage. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has called for "clarity" from China regarding these events.
Germany, under Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, is taking steps to bolster its military readiness, including the establishment of a new cyber and information branch.
This move comes as part of a broader effort to prepare for potential conflicts, reflecting the heightened state of alert among NATO members.
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