NATO member countries are set to deploy frigates, patrol aircraft, and naval drones in the Baltic Sea to safeguard critical infrastructure and reserve the right to take action against ships suspected of threatening security, according to alliance representatives.
This military and political initiative, called “Baltic Sentry,” comes in response to a series of incidents involving damage to power cables, telecom connections, and gas pipelines following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Last month, Finnish police seized a tanker carrying Russian oil, suspecting the vessel had damaged the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line along with four telecom cables by dragging its anchor across the seafloor.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb stated that the damage, occurring on December 25, was “definitely” linked to Russia.
In light of heightened fears of sabotage, the Polish army has refuted local media claims that a Russian “shadow fleet” vessel was spotted circling the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline, asserting that “this did not happen.”
European leaders posing for a photo at the start of the summit
Finland’s actions against the Eagle S tanker demonstrated that law enforcement can apprehend vessels causing harm, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte mentioned in a press conference after an eight-nation meeting in Helsinki.
“Potential threats to our infrastructure will have ramifications, including possible boarding, impounding, and arrest,” Mr. Rutte added.
The Finnish police confiscated the Eagle S on December 28 as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
NATO members are considering sanctions specifically targeting Russia’s shadow fleet in the region as part of measures to protect vital undersea installations, according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz following the meeting.
“We will persist in taking action against the Russian shadow fleet, incorporating sanctions that have already been implemented and others that may follow, aimed at specific ships and shipping companies that also pose an environmental threat,” Mr. Scholz stated to reporters.
With approximately 2,000 ships navigating the Baltic Sea daily, monitoring the area effectively poses a challenge, remarked Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics.
“Let’s be honest, we cannot guarantee 100% protection; however, by sending a strong message, we can expect a reduction or even a cessation of such incidents,” Mr. Rinkevics told reporters.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb emphasized the need for further legal studies to determine what measures can be taken against suspected rogue ships while upholding navigational freedoms.
