NATO Bolsters Baltic Sea Patrols Following Underwater Infrastructure Damage
In response to recent incidents of underwater infrastructure damage, the forces of the North Atlantic Alliance will strengthen patrols in the Baltic Sea. Specifically, these incidents involve damage to a telecommunications cable connecting Sweden and Estonia, as well as a Finnish-Estonian pipeline and cable, both occurring around the beginning of this month, as reported by Euractiv.
"The enhanced measures include additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights, including the use of maritime patrol aircraft, AWACS aircraft, and drones. A flotilla of four mine-hunting ships is also being dispatched to this area," stated NATO in a statement.
"We continue to closely monitor the situation and maintain close contact with Alliance members Estonia and Finland, as well as our partner Sweden," said NATO spokesperson Dylan White.
According to him, NATO will continue to adapt its maritime forces in the Baltic Sea and take all necessary steps to ensure the security of Alliance members.
Representatives of the countries whose infrastructure was attacked have stated that they have not reached final conclusions regarding who is responsible for the damage and whether it was accidental or intentional.
Estonia's Minister of Defense, Hanno Pevkur, emphasized that NATO members are vigilant and prepared for action.
"The decision to enhance patrols in the Baltic Sea does not signify an increased military threat. It demonstrates that the relations among Alliance members are strong, and NATO, as a whole, regards the protection of critical infrastructure as an important issue," said Hanno Pevkur.
NATO, the European Union, and national governments have made the protection of underwater pipelines and cables one of their top priorities since the explosions disrupted the "Nord Stream" pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September 2022. Investigators have called these explosions an act of sabotage but have not yet determined who is responsible. However, in the political and military circles of Finland, there are suspicions that Russia may be involved in the recent incident involving a gas leak in a pipeline connecting the country to Estonia. The gas pipeline was damaged on the night from Saturday to Sunday following a HAMAS attack on Israel. The presence of Russian ships near the Finnish coast points to Russia's involvement.
On September 28, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made an unannounced visit to Kyiv and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. High-ranking officials discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defense ahead of winter, protection from Russian aggression, and increasing pressure on Russia. This included the possibility of providing Ukraine with additional air defense systems by NATO member countries.