NATO allies suspect Russia’s hybrid war under Baltic Sea.
NATO Forces Increase Patrols in Baltic Sea Amidst Suspicion of Russian Hybrid Warfare
NATO forces are intensifying their patrols in the Baltic Sea following a series of “man-made disasters,” which have raised concerns about Russia’s alleged hybrid warfare campaign against alliance infrastructure. Estonia and Finland, both NATO members, recently reported intentional damage to a natural gas pipeline connecting their countries, as well as partial damage to telecommunications cables linking Estonia to Sweden.
Investigating a Man-Made Disaster
“We call it an incident against our undersea infrastructure between two major NATO member states,” said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. “We have to investigate — is it a coincidence? Or what really happened? But it is not some kind of environmental thing. It’s a man-made disaster.”
There are suspicions surrounding these incidents, and Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur acknowledged the need to connect the dots and determine if there is a larger plan at play. Sweden, which has applied to join NATO alongside Finland, has also experienced delays in its ratification process due to separate disputes with the United States and the European Union.
NATO’s Response
“We continue to monitor the situation closely, and we remain in close contact with our allies Estonia and Finland and our partner Sweden,” stated acting NATO spokesman Dylan White. “NATO will continue to adapt its maritime posture in the Baltic Sea and will take all necessary steps to keep allies safe.”
While the damage caused in each incident may be relatively small, Baltic leaders are taking the matter seriously. They believe that these incidents are part of a broader hybrid warfare campaign by Russia, targeting Baltic Sea pipelines and cables. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics suggested that NATO may need to restrict Russia’s naval access to the Baltic Sea if such incidents continue.
Depriving Russia of Naval Access
“If we see incidents of this nature, NATO should, in my understanding, simply effectively close the Baltic Sea for shipping,” Rinkevics proposed. “You can do that. Ships can be stopped.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman denied any involvement in the incidents, but the controversy surrounding the sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines and the subsequent U.S. sanctions against Russia have raised suspicions. Baltic countries, including Lithuania, are taking steps to enhance their surveillance and protection of energy infrastructure in response to these incidents.
Enhancing Security Measures
Lithuanian lawmakers plan to deploy “an underwater capability” to strengthen surveillance around the port of Klaipeda. “We are now working out a strategy for generating capabilities to ensure protection in this area,” said Lithuanian National Security and Defense Committee Chairman Laurynas Kasciunas.
As investigations into these incidents continue, Baltic states are also dealing with a wave of hoax bomb threats targeting schools. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized that cyberattacks from Russia are a constant challenge, and these incidents may be part of a larger strategy to serve Putin’s interests.
Overall, NATO forces are on high alert in the Baltic Sea, adapting their maritime posture to ensure the safety of alliance members and closely monitoring the situation as investigations unfold.
What incidents of intentional damage to infrastructure have been reported by NATO members in the Baltic Sea region, and what suspicions do they raise about Russian hybrid warfare?
NATO forces have been increasing patrols in the Baltic Sea in response to a series of “man-made disasters” that have raised suspicions of Russian hybrid warfare. Estonia and Finland, both NATO members, have reported intentional damage to their infrastructure, including a natural gas pipeline and telecommunications cables connecting Estonia to Sweden.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna referred to these incidents as “an incident against our undersea infrastructure between two major NATO member states.” He emphasized the need to investigate if these incidents are coincidental or part of a larger plan. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur also acknowledged the need to connect the dots and determine the motive behind these attacks.
Sweden, which has applied to join NATO alongside Finland, has also faced delays in its ratification process, partly due to separate disputes with the United States and the European Union. This further adds to concerns about the security of NATO infrastructure in the region.
In response to these incidents, NATO has expressed its commitment to closely monitoring the situation and remaining in close contact with its allies in the Baltic region. Acting NATO spokesman Dylan White stated that NATO will continue to adapt its maritime posture in the Baltic Sea and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its allies.
These increased patrols and enhanced security measures in the Baltic Sea highlight NATO’s determination to safeguard its member states and infrastructure. The suspicions surrounding Russia’s alleged hybrid warfare activities serve as a reminder of the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. It is essential for NATO member states to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to counter potential threats to their security.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
