Satellite images show two unidentified ships off Falster

Satellite images reviewed by DR show two large unidentified ships with their tracking signals switched off off the coast of Falster on Monday, hours before a Russian frigate reportedly fired flares at a Danish military helicopter.

DR’s verification team found a satellite image taken at about 7.32am showing the two vessels in the waters off Falster before the incident, which the Danish Defence has attributed to the Russian frigate.

It is not currently possible to determine whether the two ships were Russian or why they were in the area. Their presence there before the incident can, however, be seen in the image.

When a ship switches off its Automatic Identification System, or AIS, it can sail without appearing on services that monitor maritime traffic. This is typical of warships from countries including Russia, which regularly sail from the Baltic Sea past Denmark.

The German coastguard vessel Neustadt and the Danish patrol ship P523 Najaden were sailing near the two unidentified vessels at the same time. Germany and Denmark use these types of ships to monitor foreign military vessels passing through Danish and German waters.

Based on the satellite images, DR estimates that the two unidentified ships were between 90 and 110 metres long. Ship number two was sailing in the eastbound shipping lane, while ship number one was in the westbound lane. Ship number one therefore appeared to be travelling in the direction where the later flare incident took place.