NATO responds to the incident in the Baltic Sea. Destroyers will patrol the area
6:28 AM EDT, October 20, 2023
In the first half of October, there were two disturbing incidents in the Baltic: damage to the telecommunications cable connecting Sweden and Estonia, and to the Baltic connector gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia. There is a decisive response from NATO.
NATO announced on Thursday that it is intensifying patrols in the Baltic Sea due to recent damage to underwater infrastructure in the region.
"The intensified measures include additional reconnaissance and observation flights, including the use of maritime patrol aircraft, NATO AWACS aircraft, and drones. A fleet of four NATO mine destroyers is also being sent to this area" - announced NATO in a statement.
NATO made this decision as a result of damage to the telecommunications cable connecting Sweden and Estonia and the Balticconnector gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia. Both events took place at the same time, in the first half of this month.
"NATO will take all steps"
- We are still closely monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with members of our Alliance, Estonia and Finland, as well as our partner, Sweden - conveyed NATO spokesperson Dylan White.
- NATO will continue to adjust its maritime position in the Baltic Sea and will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its members - he emphasized.
