In response to the sabotage of an electricity cable between Finland and Estonia, NATO plans to increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea. This announcement was made by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on platform X, following a meeting with Finnish President Stubb.
The increased presence aims to deter potential threats, according to former Dutch Commander Mart de Kruif. Last Wednesday, a cable was damaged, with Finland blaming Russia.
Maritime data indicates a Russian oil tanker was near the cable at the incident time. NATO is expected to deploy more ships, drones, and satellites to monitor and potentially prevent further sabotage attempts, as noted by defense expert Peter Wijninga.
Estonia announced its navy’s involvement in protecting the cable and called for changes to international maritime law to address underwater sabotage. Finland and Estonia have experienced various hybrid warfare tactics from Russia, emphasizing the need for heightened security.
The increased NATO presence sends a message to both Russia and NATO countries about the seriousness of these threats.
Source: NOS