Frigates, submarines, unmanned systems are only part of the resources that the North Atlantic Alliance will engage in Operation Baltic Sentry in the Baltic Sea. Its beginning was announced present in Helsinki by Secretary General Mark Rutte. This is simply a consequence to the fresh proliferation of attacks against the marine critical infrastructure. Tracks lead to Russia.
– any forces are trying to destabilize our societies. any of these activities are aimed at destroying underwater infrastructure. There are reasons for large concern, due to the fact that its safety is of paramount importance to us – he emphasizes Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General. present in Helsinki he met with the leaders of the Baltic Sea Basin states. The subject of the talks was fresh incidents. At the end of last year, ships passing through the Baltic damaged respective power and telecommunications cables moving across the bottom. The mode of action each time remained the same. At 1 point, the crews left anchors and dragged her down for tens of miles. respective months earlier, the Balticconnector gas pipeline was likewise interrupted, connecting Finland and Estonia.
The ships liable for the demolition are sailing under different flags. However, there are many indications that they are related to Russia. Experts admit that Recent events are most likely part of the hybrid warThe Kremlin leads against the West. NATO has decided to respond by strengthening its military presence in the Baltic. Following a gathering in Helsinki, the secretary-general announced the launch of a fresh operation. It will bear the code name "Baltic Sentry".
The Alliance will send additional units – frigates, submarines, but besides aviation to patrol delicate areas. Various types of sea drones will besides be included in the monitoring more than ever. NATO is yet going to definitely enforce those provisions of maritime law that give the gateway to extremist action against ships suspected of being sabotaged. "Captains request to realize that possible threats to our infrastructure will have consequences, e.g. possible boarding, arrest or confiscation," Rutte emphasises. Finland's last action is an example. In December, the border guards of that country stopped an Eagle S ship that had broken off the submarine cables. Under escort she escorted him to the nearest Finnish port, while investigators charged the crew.
Rutte doesn't want to tell you how large the force will be active in the operation. – I do not want to talk about details, so that our possible opponents do not become smarter – he argues. However, it adds that resources will be adequate to implement the planned actions. A fewer days ago, a Finnish public broadcaster reported that the Alliance was sending 10 additional ships to the Baltic. – “Baltic Sentry” will supply targeted deterrence throughout the Baltic Sea “ Christopher Cavali, the chief commander of allied forces in Europe, underlines. “This indicates NATO’s ability to respond rapidly to acts of destabilization and shows that together we are able to meet all challenges,” he adds.
The Helsinki decision is part of a request that Poland raised in November. Prime Minister Donald Tusk mentioned this before leaving for Finland. “For apparent reasons Poland was curious in strengthening control in the Baltic. We proposed specified a form of patrolling utilizing NATO and national units," he stressed. She's become a model here. Air Police Air Missionwhich involves patrolling airspace on the east flank. “We wanted specified reinforced patrols to be besides in the Baltic”, said Tusk. After today’s summit, the head of the government commented on social media: “ NATO’s enhanced protection of the Baltic is becoming a reality. Russia will no longer be able to unpunishedly sabotage our critical infrastructure."
