NATO Initiates 'Baltic Sentry' Mission to Safeguard Undersea Infrastructure

The alliance emphasizes the need for robust patrolling in the Baltic Sea to protect critical infrastructure as concerns grow over potential acts of aggression.

NATO has officially commenced a new initiative named "Baltic Sentry," aimed at bolstering the monitoring of maritime activities in the Baltic Sea following a series of damaging incidents involving undersea cables last year. The announcement was made by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte during a summit in Helsinki that brought together representatives from Baltic Sea nations: Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden.

Under the Baltic Sentry operation, there will be an increase in the deployment of patrol aircraft, warships, and drones to enhance the security of these maritime areas. Although Rutte did not pinpoint Russia as the specific cause of the damage, he expressed serious concerns regarding the activities of Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet," which consists of vessels without clear ownership often linked to embargoed oil transport.

The relationship between NATO members and Russia has deteriorated steadily since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Rutte emphasized the need for heightened vigilance, affirming that NATO will take decisive action in response to any threats, which may include the boarding and possible seizure of suspicious vessels.

Undersea infrastructure plays a critical role not just in energy supply but also in global communications, with over 95% of internet traffic transmitted through undersea cables. Rutte noted that these cables, stretching over 1.3 million kilometers, facilitate approximately $10 trillion in financial transactions every day. He pledged NATO's commitment to ensuring the safety of essential infrastructure.

Recent months have seen an increment in unexplained damage to submarine infrastructure. Notably, an electricity cable connecting Finland and Estonia was severed towards the end of December. Finnish authorities intervened by boarding the oil tanker Eagle S, which was reportedly endangering another power cable during its transit.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna expressed concerns over the frequency of such incidents, suggesting that they are unlikely to be mere accidents. Similarly, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson refrained from direct accusations, yet acknowledged the suspicious nature of recent events, suggesting that hostile actions could not be entirely dismissed.