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NATO Steps Up Baltic Sea Patrols Amid Suspected Sabotage
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on Friday the alliance’s decision to intensify military patrols in the Baltic Sea region. This comes as Finnish authorities investigate a ship potentially linked to acts of sabotage against undersea cables reported earlier this week.
The ship, identified as the Eagle S, was seized by Finnish officials on Thursday as they sought to determine if it had damaged a vital power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, as well as several data cables in the vicinity. This incident is part of a concerning trend of disruptions targeting critical infrastructure in the region.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Rutte revealed discussions held with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb regarding the investigation led by Finland into the alleged sabotage. He affirmed that NATO would enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea in response.
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The Eagle S was apprehended after authorities cut an underwater power cable connecting Finland to Estonia. In recent years, multiple cables have been cut in the Baltic Sea, and investigations have not excluded the involvement of Russia or China.
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While NATO remained tight-lipped regarding specifics on their increased military measures, the alliance characterized its response as vigilant and focused on enhancing military support in the region.
Finland’s strategic position with a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia became even more significant following its accession to NATO in 2023, marking a substantial shift from its historically neutral stance.
In October 2023, in light of recent incidents, NATO and allied countries augmented their presence by deploying maritime patrol aircraft, long-range radar, and drones to enhance surveillance. Additionally, a fleet of minehunters was sent to the area to bolster security against potential threats.
The Eagle S, although flagged in the Cook Islands, has been described by Finnish customs and European Union officials as operating within the framework of Russia’s shadow fleet—vessels engaged in transporting oil and gas while circumventing international sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine. This fleet often comprises aging ships with unclear ownership, frequently lacking insurance recognized by Western standards, which raises environmental concerns.
Reports from Finland’s Yle state broadcaster suggested that the ship’s anchor might have caused the disruption to the undersea cable. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting when the issue was raised on Friday.
Following a high-profile meeting regarding the incident, President Stubb reassured the public via X that the situation was under control and that ongoing investigations would continue. He noted that both Finland and Estonia were seeking additional support from NATO.
Stubb mentioned possible new initiatives could include stringent inspections of vessels’ insurance documentation in the region. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of gauging effective responses to similar occurrences based on international maritime law.
Impact of Cable Damage Remains Limited
The Estlink-2 power cable, which serves as the electrical link between Finland and Estonia, suffered a service interruption on Wednesday; however, the impact on overall services appeared minimal.
This incident followed previous disruptions to two data cables and the Nord Stream pipelines, both believed to be the result of sabotage activities. The aforementioned data cables were severed in November, with Germany’s defense minister suggesting foul play was likely, although no specific evidence had been provided pointing to the perpetrators.
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The Nord Stream pipelines, crucial for natural gas supply from Russia to Germany, were severely damaged in underwater explosions in September 2022, prompting authorities to label the event as sabotage and to initiate criminal investigations.
In response to the heightened risk to crucial infrastructure, NATO had already increased its patrols following the Nord Stream incidents and established a coordination cell aimed at fostering collaboration between governments, military forces, and the defense industry to safeguard undersea installations more effectively.
Source
www.cbc.ca