NATO to boost military presence in Baltic Sea after cable damage

NATO member states have decided to enhance the bloc’s military presence in the Baltic Sea. The decision was made to protect critical infrastructure following recent damage to underwater cables connecting Estonia and Finland, reports the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

According to a NATO statement, member countries discussed the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea during a December 30 meeting at the NATO headquarters. The meeting followed the December 25 damage to underwater cables between Estonia and Finland.

“The damage to the cables, which is being investigated by Finnish authorities, is one of a number of recent incidents in the Baltic Sea under scrutiny as possible sabotage,” the statement said.

Allied nations expressed “full solidarity” with Estonia and Finland in response to the incident.

“In order to maintain vigilance, increase situational awareness, and deter future incidents, NATO is enhancing its military presence in the Baltic Sea,” the statement added.

NATO members are also considering “additional measures” to address potential threats to critical underwater infrastructure. This includes leveraging the NATO Maritime Security Center for Critical Undersea Infrastructure, established in May, according to the alliance.

Baltic Sea cable damage

On December 25, Finland reported damage to an underwater power cable connecting Estonia and Finland in the Baltic Sea.

According to Fingrid, Finland’s national electricity grid operator, the damaged cable was Estlink 2, a critical connection between the two countries. It was later revealed that two communication cables operated by Elisa Group and one by CITIC Telecom were also affected.

On December 26, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced plans to enhance the protection of critical infrastructure following the incident. He noted that NATO allies could be involved in the effort. The affected area is located in the Gulf of Finland, which borders Finland, Estonia, and Russia.

Finnish authorities have not ruled out deliberate damage to the underwater cables. Two vessels were detected in the area at the time of the cable disruption.

Subsequently, Finnish officials began investigating a Russian oil tanker suspected of involvement in the sabotage. On December 26, Finnish police conducted a special operation targeting the vessel, which is believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb urged the international community to counter the risks posed by Russia’s shadow fleet.

On December 27, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced that the European Union is preparing sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet. On December 30, Kallas stated that the recent acts of sabotage across Europe are not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated effort to destabilize the EU’s infrastructure. She attributed responsibility for these incidents to Russia.

Additionally, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on December 27 that the alliance plans to increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea in response to these acts of sabotage.