- Poland’s military intervened after a Russian “shadow fleet” ship was spotted suspiciously near an undersea power cable connecting Poland and Sweden.
- NATO has increased security in the Baltic Sea amid a surge in infrastructure sabotage incidents linked to the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- The undersea cable remains operational, but Polish and Swedish officials emphasize heightened readiness to protect vital regional infrastructure.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that a Russian vessel under sanctions, part of the so-called “shadow fleet,” was caught performing unusual maneuvers close to an undersea power cable between Poland and Sweden. The Polish military intervened, prompting the ship to retreat to a Russian port. Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said a patrol flight successfully repelled the vessel, and the navy ship ORP Heweliusz was dispatched to monitor the area.
Security Heightened in the Baltic Following Infrastructure Threats
This encounter follows a troubling pattern of damage to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Power cables, gas pipelines, and telecom links have increasingly become targets or casualties of suspected sabotage, raising alarm across NATO countries and prompting enhanced surveillance and maritime defense operations.
Details of the Vessel and International Concerns
The ship involved, a tanker named Sun, was sailing under the flag of Antigua and is part of Russia’s sanctioned fleet used to circumvent international trade restrictions. While the Russian embassy in Warsaw declined to comment, Moscow has previously rejected all accusations of sabotage, claiming the West is using such allegations to suppress Russian maritime exports.
Strategic Importance of the Poland-Sweden Power Link
The power cable in question connects Karlshamn, Sweden, to Ustka in northern Poland, with a capacity of 600 megawatts. It enables mutual energy support between the two nations depending on market demand. Poland’s national grid operator PSE confirmed that the cable was functioning normally during the incident, with electricity actively flowing to Sweden.
Regional Reactions and NATO’s Position
The incident has reinforced concerns over the Baltic Sea’s security, especially following Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO. Polish authorities warned that the area has seen a surge in sabotage-related events, particularly involving underwater infrastructure. Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz vowed a robust response from Poland and NATO to any aggression, while Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson confirmed that Stockholm remains on high alert and in close communication with its allies.
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Source: Reuters
