NATO to deploy ships, aircraft in Baltic Sea after cable breaches

NATO will deploy frigates, patrol aircraft, and naval drones in the Baltic Sea to safeguard critical infrastructure and retain the right to act against vessels suspected of security threats, alliance members announced Tuesday.

The initiative, called Baltic Sentry, follows a series of incidents involving damaged power cables, telecom links, and gas pipelines since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Finnish police recently seized the Russian oil tanker Eagle S, suspecting it of damaging the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line and telecom cables by dragging its anchor across the seabed.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb noted legal studies are underway to ensure actions against rogue vessels adhere to international navigation laws.

While the region is on high alert for fear of sabotage, the Polish army denied on Tuesday a local media report that said a Russian "shadow fleet" vessel was seen circling near the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline, stating that this "did not happen".

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed the alliance's readiness to act. "Potential threats to our infrastructure will have consequences, including possible boarding, impounding, and arrest," Rutte said at a press conference in Helsinki.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz highlighted sanctions targeting Russia's "shadow fleet" to deter further threats. "We will take action, including against specific ships and companies that pose risks to security and the environment," Scholz stated.

With approximately 2,000 ships crossing the Baltic daily, monitoring remains challenging. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics acknowledged the difficulty but emphasized deterrence.

"We can't ensure 100% protection, but sending a bold signal can decrease such incidents," Rinkevics said.

NATO leaders aim to strike a balance between security measures and upholding freedom of navigation while addressing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.