NATO is set to commence a new mission aimed at safeguarding undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, a response to a rise in concerns regarding potential Russian espionage and sabotage activities in the area, according to the organization’s Secretary-General. The mission, known as Baltic Sentry, is expected to deploy frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval drones to enhance monitoring and deterrent capabilities in the region.
In a press briefing following discussions in Helsinki with leaders from various Baltic nations, Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of undersea cables, noting that over 95% of global internet traffic relies on these cables, which stretch over 1.3 million kilometers (about 808,000 miles). These cables support an estimated $10 trillion in financial transactions daily. He expressed concerns about a broad campaign aimed at destabilizing societies through acts such as cyberattacks, sabotage, and potential threats to these vital infrastructure components.
During the meeting with Baltic leaders, reports surfaced from a Polish state broadcaster regarding a Russian vessel from what is termed the “shadow fleet,” reportedly circling a natural gas pipeline from Norway to Poland. However, Poland’s military clarified that no such incident occurred. The shadow fleet, composed of numerous aging tankers with dubious ownership and safety records, has raised alarm among European nations due to its evasion of sanctions, allowing Russia to maintain its oil revenue influx.
Rutte underscored that NATO’s adversaries should understand that the alliance will vigorously defend its critical infrastructure, vowing to take all necessary actions to counteract any hostilities that arise. The discussions included participation from leaders of Finland, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
The leaders collectively stated that they reserve the right to act in accordance with international law against any vessels that violate sanctions and jeopardize security, infrastructure, or the environment. They further articulated that Russia’s utilization of the shadow fleet presents a direct threat to both maritime and environmental safety. Besides undersea infrastructure threats, they expressed concerns that this “reprehensible practice” is providing essential funding for Russia’s ongoing aggressive actions in Ukraine.
In their response to these challenges, the leaders committed to implementing innovative solutions and advancing new technologies designed for the surveillance of suspicious ships and underwater monitoring efforts. They also pledged to enhance legal strategies against such threats, improve information sharing, and increase partnerships with the private sector, especially those involved in infrastructure and advanced technology domains.
Several incidents have intensified these security apprehensions; for instance, on December 26, Finnish authorities boarded a ship named the Eagle S, linked to Russia, while investigating possible damage it caused to both a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed Germany’s involvement in the Baltic Sentry mission. When questioned about the specifics, he assured that Germany would contribute all available naval capabilities, although the nature of those contributions may change over time. Similarly, Sweden announced plans to deploy up to three warships to enhance the alliance’s presence in the Baltic Sea to combat sabotage threats effectively.
Rutte remained cautious when asked for further details regarding the operation, indicating that the number of ships involved could vary, and he refrained from disclosing specifics to avoid giving any advantage to adversaries. “We will utilize the complete range of options available to us as an alliance,” he stated, reinforcing NATO’s commitment to maritime security in the region.
