NATO launched 'Baltic Sentry', a new naval mission to prevent attacks on cable infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The alliance says Russia is to blame for recent incidents, but can increased NATO patrols make a difference?

A spate of alleged sabotage operations against undersea cables in the Baltic Sea has raised the prospect of a dangerous 2025 in NATO's northern theater.

NATO countries will deploy frigates, patrol aircraft and naval drones in the Baltic Sea to help protect critical infrastructure and reserve the right to take action against ships suspected of posing a security threat,

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced on Tuesday a new mission, dubbed Baltic Sentry, to safeguard undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region.

(Windward) Helsinki will host a summit of Baltic Sea NATO leaders next week, but Daniel says a major complicating factor in protecting the infrastructure is that it runs through vast ...

including possible sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea,” Rutte said. Rutte said NATO’s adversaries must know that the alliance will not accept attacks on its critical infrastructure ...

That is according to the Ukrainian Navy's operational report as of 6:00 on January 19, 2025, shared on Facebook and reported by Ukrinform. “No enemy warships deployed in the Black Sea; no enemy warships deployed in the Sea of Azov,” the post reads.

NATO warships began patrolling the Baltic Sea this week. Some of the ships are anchored in Tallinn's Mine Harbor, ERR reports. Warships have begun patrolling as part of the Baltic Guard program. Three NATO ships anchored in Tallinn.

NATO moves to protect Baltic sea cables - NATO is stepping up its response over what it sees as an increasing threat to vital infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Its new mission "Baltic Sentry" aims to protect undersea cables from sabotage after a spate of alleged attacks with a Russia-linked so-called shadow fleet involved.

Russia is believed to be behind dozens of hybrid attacks, like arson or sabotage, on NATO soil since the Ukraine war started.