Disturbing events in the Baltic Sea. NATO implements "escalated measures"
NATO's response to the recent destruction of infrastructure in the Baltic Sea has been announced. The North Atlantic Alliance informed on Thursday that it is intensifying patrols in response to reports of damages.
1:08 PM EDT, October 20, 2023
"The intensified measures include additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights, including the use of maritime patrol aircraft, NATO AWACS planes, and drones. A fleet of four NATO mine destroyers is also being dispatched to this region" - announced NATO in a statement.
NATO made this decision as a result of damage to the telecommunication cable connecting Sweden and Estonia and the Balticconnector gas pipeline connecting Finland with Estonia. Both events took place at the same time, in the first half of this month.
"We continue to closely monitor the situation and remain in close contact with our Alliance members, Estonia and Finland, as well as our partner, Sweden," conveyed NATO spokesman Dylan White.
"NATO will continue to adjust its naval position in the Baltic Sea and will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Alliance members," he emphasized.