German pilots face flare attack from Russian ship in Baltic sea

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reported the incident during a NATO meeting in Brussels. This situation underscores the significant tension in diplomatic relations and the heated atmosphere between the parties.

The Foreign Minister did not disclose additional details about the incident with the Russian ship. However, she confirmed that pipeline and cable inspections in the Baltic Sea will continue, despite encountering hostile reactions from the Russians.

Strengthening the protection of infrastructure in the Baltic region is crucial due to repeated acts of sabotage. Baerbock cited examples of cable destruction and interference with GPS systems.

In November alone, two fiber optic cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea. One connects Sweden with Lithuania, and the other Finland with Germany.

Swedish authorities are investigating these actions as sabotage. The crew of the Chinese ship "Yi Peng 3" is suspected of carrying out these acts. Similar incidents occurred last year, including damage to a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia.

These incidents were discussed by participants of the Nordic and Baltic NB8 summit. The meeting, attended last week by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, included representatives from Nordic countries—Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland—and Baltic countries—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

The Polish Prime Minister proposed creating a joint Baltic Sea patrol mission, referred to as "navy policing." He stated, "Together with the Nordic and Baltic countries, we face the same threat and offer the same solution."

Joint patrols in the Baltic Sea will not only help prevent sabotage actions that threaten the region's infrastructure but also address the issue of increased presence of ships attempting to evade sanctions imposed on Russia following its aggression against Ukraine.

Source: rp.pl