Russia Threat Denmark

Russia's ambassador in Denmark warned that Danish warships could become a target for Russia's nuclear arsenal.

"I do not think that the Danes fully understand the consequences if Denmark joins the U.S.-led missile defense shield. If that happens, Danish warships become targets for Russian nuclear missiles, Mikhail Vanin.

In a March 20 op-ed in Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, Russia reacted to Denmark's decision to join the NATO missile defense shield. Danish foreign minister Martin Lidegaard called the statement "unacceptable," adding, "Russia knows full well that NATO's missile defense is defensive."

Denmark is the most recent country to join the missile defense system, established at the 2010 NATO Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. The country announced on Aug. 25, 2014, that it would contribute "at least" one naval frigate to the system, outfitting it with a radar to detect missile activity.