Denmark's decision to invest in long-range precision weapons has sparked a strong reaction from Russia, with its ambassador labeling the move as 'pure madness.' The strategic placement of these weapons, potentially on Bornholm, is seen as a threat by Russia, highlighting the island's significance in regional defense dynamics.
Russian Reaction to Denmark's Precision Weapons Investment
Russian Reaction to Denmark's Precision Weapons Investment
The announcement follows Denmark's decision to acquire long-range precision weapons.
This week, Denmark's government announced its first-ever investment in such weapons.
"A paradigm shift," stated Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
"Pure madness," claims Russia's Ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin.
"No one, anywhere, ever in the world, has considered threatening a nuclear power publicly. These statements will undoubtedly be taken into account," he writes in a comment to the newspaper Berlingske.
However, he does not specify the threat further.
"Outpost"
The exact location and timing of Denmark's new weapons acquisition remain unknown.
But Russia undoubtedly sees it as a threat, says Anders Puck Nielsen, a military analyst at the Danish Defense Academy, to BT.
"We usually focus on Bornholm as a place where the Russians can put pressure on us. But the Russians see it as an outpost."
Counterarguments
The type of precision weapons Denmark plans to purchase has not been disclosed. However, it could involve American Tomahawk missiles or Ukrainian Flamingo missiles with a range of hundreds of kilometers, according to BT.
Bornholm would indeed be somewhat closer to Russian territory. But there are also arguments against placing missiles there, according to Puck Nielsen.
"To me, it would be most logical to place them on aircraft or somewhere hidden. And that just makes Bornholm seem vulnerable," he tells BT.