NATO's Baltic Sea patrol surge and much faster reaction time are driving down undersea sabotage, Western officials say

"NATO announced the mission in January following several incidents involving sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Some of the malign activity has been linked to Russia and attributed to an ongoing hybrid warfare-style campaign that officials argue Moscow is waging against the West. Throughout the year, NATO warships and aircraft have patrolled the region to prevent further damage from sabotage."

"The amphibious transport vessel arrived in London on Friday, fresh off a deployment participating in NATO's Baltic Sentry mission. Though Baltic Sentry is an alliance effort, Warnaar specifically praised Baltic Sea states like Sweden, Finland, and Estonia, that have been more heavily involved in deterring sabotage given that the stakes are higher for these countries. The damage of data and communication cables has a greater effect on them."

NATO deployed forces to the Baltic Sea in January after several incidents of sabotage targeting critical undersea infrastructure. The standing maritime group and allied warships and aircraft have patrolled the region to prevent further damage. Commodore Arjen Warnaar reported no incidents in the past six months and said the operation appears to be having an effect. Baltic Sea states including Sweden, Finland, and Estonia have been heavily involved in deterrence, given higher stakes from damage to data and communications cables. Legal complexities complicate responses, and coastal states have undertaken efforts to address legal challenges while NATO monitors and reports activity.

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