NATO is deploying 10 ships to guard underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea by the end of the week, according to Finnish newspaper Yle. The ships will remain at sea until April and be positioned near energy and data cables to deter sabotage attempts.
The move comes after several disruptions in the region, including a broken power cable between Finland and Estonia, four telecommunications cables during Christmas, and another internet cable between Finland and Sweden.
Finnish authorities are investigating an oil tanker linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” sanctions-busting flotilla, which they suspect caused damage. Estonian authorities launched their own naval operation to protect the Estlink-2 power cable.
NATO Secretary-General has promised to enhance military presence in the Baltic Sea. The Joint Expeditionary Force, led by the UK, will increase monitoring of ship traffic using artificial intelligence.
Source: https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-fleet-guard-baltic-sea-cables-finnish-ships-russia-moscow-estonia-mark-rutte