NATO will increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea, the Alliance said following a December 30 meeting of allies at NATO headquarters to consult on the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea after the damage to submarine cables connecting Estonia and Finland on December 25, UNN reports.
Details
"The damage to the cables, which is being investigated by the Finnish authorities, is one of several recent incidents in the Baltic Sea that are being treated as possible sabotage. Allies have expressed their full solidarity with Estonia and Finland in the wake of the recent incident," the statement reads.
"In order to maintain vigilance, raise awareness of the situation and prevent future incidents, NATO is increasing its military presence in the Baltic Sea," NATO emphasized.
Allies are reportedly "also considering other measures to address potential threats to critical underwater infrastructure, including through the support of the NATO Maritime Center for the Security of Critical Underwater Infrastructure, established in May this year.
Previously
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says after a conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb that NATO will increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea after the damage to undersea cables.
Following the damage to a communications cable in the Baltic Sea, Finland has launched an investigation into the oil tanker Eagle S, which has been called part of Russia's "shadow fleet" that helps Moscow circumvent oil sales sanctions. The Eagle S departed under the Cook Islands flag from a Russian port and was carrying oil to Egypt, according to media reports.