Danish defence chief dismisses Swedish warning of Russian Baltic island seizure

The Danish defence chief has downplayed warnings from his Swedish counterpart that Russia could seize a Baltic Sea island to test NATO unity, stating he has “no knowledge of such Russian plans.”

Speaking to Danish broadcaster DR, Defence Chief Michael Hyldgaard said his focus remains on cooperation and demonstrating Denmark’s military capabilities. “What matters for us is collaboration within both national and collective frameworks to show we can defend Denmark and NATO effectively,” he said.

His comments follow Swedish Defence Chief Micael Bydén’s warning in a Times interview last month that Russia could occupy “almost anything” in the Baltic to challenge the alliance. The region, home to around 400,000 islands, is considered a potential flashpoint.

Hyldgaard’s remarks come as Danish and Polish forces conduct the Baltic Shield exercise on Bornholm, involving long-range weapons like Puls and HIMARS missiles. The drills, running from 8–14 May, include 200 Polish paratroopers, armoured vehicles, and coastal defence simulations.

The exercise also tests drone countermeasures, a priority since Denmark reported suspected drone activity near critical infrastructure last year. Hyldgaard confirmed a “drone setup” was part of the training but declined to elaborate, citing operational security.

Local police have advised Bornholm residents to expect increased military presence, including convoys between Raghammer and Rønne. The Danish Defence Intelligence Service’s latest threat assessment still identifies the Baltic as the highest-risk area for potential Russian military action against NATO.