Estonia will strengthen protection of underwater infrastructure and plans to engage NATO allies

Following another cable damage in the Gulf of Finland, Estonia plans to strengthen oversight of underwater infrastructure in cooperation with other NATO allies. This was reported by ERR, according to UNN.

Details

It is noted that this was stated by the Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal.

According to ERR, the government convened for an emergency meeting on December 26 at 16:00 due to the breakdown of the underwater infrastructure. The press conference was attended by Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Interior Minister Lauri Laenemets, and Minister of Justice and Digital Technology Liisa Pacosta.

Michal said that the meeting heard all the available information on what happened to the cables and what can be done to better protect the infrastructure. He added that he and the other ministers are in touch with their counterparts in neighboring countries, as well as exchanging information within the EU and NATO.

The most important thing we have to do now is to strengthen the monitoring and protection of critical infrastructure, both at sea and on land. This must be done primarily by the navy, and we will also ask our allies for help... We need more active protection, monitoring and deterrence near our critical infrastructure

He acknowledged that it is impossible to monitor literally “every square meter” of the seabed, so along with strengthening surveillance, it is important to take care of the ability to quickly repair such damage. Estonia sees Finland as a key partner in this matter. 

Kristen Michal added that it is also necessary to raise the issue at the EU and NATO level of updating the legislation on maritime issues, as the threat of sabotage of critical infrastructure at sea is relevant not only to the Baltic Sea. 

Countries should be able to better protect their critical infrastructure, more effectively stop suspicious ships, and identify suspects more quickly

He praised Finland for its quick and decisive response to the incident.

This is the first time among such incidents that the suspected vessel has been detained and the first steps have already been taken to investigate

The Prime Minister noted that the vessel detained by Finland belongs to the “shadow fleet”, and Russia hardly likes Estonia's active position on countering the “shadow fleet”. 

For his part, Interior Minister Lauri Laenemets noted that the frequent incidents of infrastructure damage cannot be considered a coincidence.

Lauri Laenemets added that when such actions are systemic, it is possible to raise the question of attacks against Estonian infrastructure.

In the current security environment, it does not matter whether it is an armed or hybrid attack. It is about actions directed against someone with a specific purpose

The minister noted that it is important to pay more attention not only to underwater infrastructure but also to land infrastructure, especially energy infrastructure, given that the Baltic states are to disconnect from the Russian energy system in February.

Recall 

The EstLink 2 power cable connecting Estonia and Finland has been disconnected in an emergency.