Putin warship opens FIRE on German army helicopter on recon mission in Baltic sea in shocking confrontation
A RUSSIAN warship has opened fire on a German army chopper over the Baltic sea, a German foreign minister has confirmed.
It is understood the crew of Putin's ship fired warning shots at a helicopter conducting a reconnaissance mission.
While signal ammunition is intended for warnings rather than attacks, this incident highlights the growing proximity between NATO and Russia, bringing them closer to a direct confrontation.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reportedly mentioned the incident on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Brussels, but did not provide any details, according to German outlet Bild.
The helicopter was deployed due to increased patrols in the Baltic Sea.
Baerbock also announced that monitoring of pipelines and data cables in the region would be intensified.
This is in response to recurring Russian attacks on this critical infrastructure, including the destruction of cables and disruptions to GPS systems.
Signal ammunition is typically used only in emergency situations.
Baerbock also highlighted that ships continue to sail through the Baltic Sea attempting to bypass sanctions imposed on Russia following Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.