Baltic Sea

India and Russia intend to increase trade to $100 billion in five years. This is a response to trade pressure from the United States.

European leaders are likely to impose sanctions against Russia if Putin refuses a trilateral meeting with Zelenskyy and Trump. Zelenskyy called for sanctions if Putin refuses the summit.

Belarus is ready to mediate a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Press Secretary of the President of Belarus Natalia Eismont stated that Minsk is ready to organize a meeting at the highest level.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that President Trump does not rule out air support for Ukraine. This is one of the military options being considered as a security guarantee.

President Zelenskyy discussed with the President of the European Council, António Costa, further steps and the preparation of the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia. Pressure on Russia must increase until it takes real steps to stop the war.

Chinese refineries increased purchases of Russian Urals oil, taking advantage of India's refusal of preferential batches due to Washington's increased trade tariffs. Urals exports to China almost doubled in August, while they significantly decreased to India.

Satellite images from Planet Labs recorded large-scale construction at five Russian nuclear facilities, including Osipovichi, Gadzhiyevo, Kaliningrad, Kamchatka, and Novaya Zemlya. The modernization indicates Moscow's possible plans for nuclear forces amid tensions in Europe.

South Korea, the US, and Japan conducted joint air exercises over international waters near Jeju Island, involving a B-52H bomber. This is part of efforts to strengthen the response to nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

From July 1, 2025, Germany will require tankers in its territorial waters to have oil pollution insurance. This will strengthen the fight against Russia's "shadow fleet" and protect the Baltic Sea, minimizing the risks of environmental disasters.

Influential investor Stephen P. Lynch seeks to acquire a Russian pipeline. The White House is considering cooperation with the Kremlin on gas supplies to Europe, which is causing concern in Germany.

Sweden is strengthening control over ships in the Baltic Sea to counter the Russian "shadow fleet" used to circumvent sanctions. Gathering information about ships will form the basis for sanctions.

Joint training with the US Army was held in Šiauliai, Lithuania, to support HIMARS management skills. Lithuanian and American soldiers conducted theoretical and practical training.

Johann Wadephul stated a security threat due to Russia's "shadow fleet" and confirmed the EU's plans for new sanctions. The 17th package of sanctions will tighten measures against these vessels.

Finland is strengthening security in the Baltic Sea due to an increase in suspicious incidents related to Russian sabotage. Since 2023, 11 underwater cables have been damaged.

The Finnish authorities released the Eagle S tanker suspected of damaging Estlink 2 cables. The owners of the damaged cables refused to be arrested due to the high cost of maintaining the vessel and are planning a lawsuit.

Near the Polish city of Międzyzdroje, animal welfare activists freed a 7-meter humpback whale that had become entangled in fishing nets. The rescue operation was successful thanks to the calm behavior of the animal and the coordinated work of the services.

Russia is using technological innovations developed during the war in Ukraine against NATO countries. Particular attention is paid to the development of drones and electronic warfare, ISW reports.

Two Rostelecom cables connecting St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad were damaged in the Gulf of Finland. The repair work will take about a week and is being supervised by the Finnish Coast Guard.

The Swedish Prosecutor's Office has determined that the damage to the submarine cable between Sweden and Latvia was not sabotage. The incident was caused by a combination of weather conditions and technical deficiencies.

The Silver Dania vessel, which is cruising between St. Petersburg and Murmansk, was detained in the port of Tromso at the request of Latvia. The vessel is suspected of involvement in damaging the submarine cable between Sweden and Latvia.

The Center for Countering Disinformation has denied the information that Russia is developing a new version of the Iskander with a range of 1,000 kilometers. Reports about this in the English-language media are a deliberate disinformation campaign.

The Ukrainian Navy believes that frequent damage to submarine cables in the Baltic Sea may be a new tactic of the Russian Federation. Since November 2024, there have been several cases of cable damage in different countries.

The Swedish side will help Latvia with the investigation into the damage to the submarine cable in the Baltic Sea on Sunday, January 26.

In the Baltic Sea, damage to the underwater fiber optic cable of the Latvian State Radio and Television Center was discovered. Two ships outside Latvian territorial waters were spotted at the scene of the incident.

US and European intelligence agencies believe that the damage to the submarine cables in the Baltic Sea was caused by accidents. The evidence points to the inexperience of the crews of the vessels, not to Russian sabotage.

A French Atlantic 2 military aircraft was subjected to a radar jamming and “illumination” attempt by Russian Federation during an observation mission over the Baltic. The incident occurred during a NATO operation to monitor possible damage to undersea cables.

A Panamanian-flagged tanker carrying 99,000 tons of Russian oil is adrift in German waters. German customs authorities are inspecting the vessel, which will remain under guard until the process is completed.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced confirmed information about Russia's plans to carry out air terror against airlines around the world. Poland is actively working to counter Russian sabotage.

NATO launches a new military mission to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Secretary General Rutte announces the deployment of frigates, patrol aircraft, and a fleet of naval drones.

Another power cable with anchor marks was found damaged in the Baltic Sea. Sweden's Defense Minister confirmed that this is the third damaged cable after the incident with the Yi Peng 3.