Increased Military Presence in the Baltic Sea
Latvia’s Prime Minister has clearly stated that the country is ready to defend its borders and critical infrastructure from any potential threats, both on land and at sea, particularly in the Baltic region. The Prime Minister emphasized Latvia’s readiness to respond quickly to any hybrid warfare threats in the Baltic. Hybrid warfare is a mix of traditional military tactics and unconventional methods, such as cyberattacks or misinformation, used to destabilize nations.
The Prime Minister also stressed Latvia’s right to take action against illegal activities, especially in the waters around the country and within the Baltic Sea. Specifically, she highlighted the possibility of seizing ships involved in the so-called “shadow fleet.” This term refers to tankers that transport Russian oil, which continues to generate significant revenue for Russia despite international sanctions.
Latvia’s position is backed by NATO, which is increasing its military presence in the Baltic Sea. NATO’s decision follows concerns over the security of critical undersea cables in the region. These cables are essential for communication and power transmission between countries, and any damage to them can have serious consequences. NATO’s support signals its commitment to ensuring the security of the region, particularly in light of the rising tensions caused by Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Sanctions Against the Shadow Fleet in the Baltic
The European Union has been taking steps to put pressure on Russia by targeting its economic activities. One of the significant areas of focus has been the “shadow fleet” of tankers involved in transporting Russian oil. The European Union has imposed sanctions to restrict the activities of vessels that support Russia’s war efforts. This includes vessels that operate under flags of third countries, which sometimes use this method to bypass sanctions.
On December 11, European Union ambassadors approved the 15th package of sanctions against Russia. These sanctions specifically target vessels linked to Russia’s war efforts, including those involved in the shadow fleet. The goal is to reduce Russia’s ability to generate revenue from its oil exports, which continues to fund its military actions.
The shadow fleet has been a critical issue because these ships operate in a way that makes them difficult to track. By using tankers registered under other countries’ flags, Russia has been able to circumvent international sanctions that target Russian-owned vessels directly. The European Union’s sanctions aim to close this loophole and prevent the continued flow of revenue to Russia.
Damage to Undersea Cables and the Eagle S Tanker Investigation
On December 25, damage to the Estlink 2 undersea cable disrupted power transmission between Finland and Estonia, cutting off a key connection between the two countries. The incident raised suspicions of sabotage, possibly involving a foreign vessel. Finnish police are investigating whether a foreign ship caused the damage, and reports of similar disruptions have surfaced on other cables between the two countries.
The investigation took a turn on December 27, when espionage equipment, including transmitters and receivers, was discovered on the tanker Eagle S. This discovery raised concerns about possible intelligence-gathering activities. As a result, Finnish authorities seized the tanker on December 28, moving it to Kilpilahti port for a technical investigation.
These incidents highlight the vulnerability of undersea cables, which are critical for communication and energy transmission. They also reflect growing concerns about hybrid warfare tactics and the security of vital infrastructure. Authorities in Latvia, Finland, and NATO are increasing efforts to protect these critical systems and respond to emerging threats.
These ongoing disruptions have brought attention to the increasing risks faced by undersea cables, which are essential for both communication and energy. As the Baltic Sea becomes a focal point for such security threats, countries are strengthening their defense measures to safeguard against hybrid warfare tactics, including potential espionage and sabotage. The continued investigation into these incidents underscores the importance of maintaining secure infrastructure in the region.