Russian aircraft were spotted flying over HMCS Fredericton earlier this week as the Canadian warship participated in NATO military exercises.

One photo clearly shows the Russians photographing the Canadian ship as they fly over in a helicopter on Monday.

The ship’s captain said the fly-over does not represent an escalation or a provocation and the Canadians were expecting to see the Russians.

On Tuesday, two Russian frigates were spotted from HMCS Fredericton while Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Defence Minister Jason Kenney were on board.

The ship has been participating in annual NATO military exercises in the Baltic Sea.

(An Su-24 FENCER flying near HMCS Fredricton on June 8, 2015.)