Baltic states warn Russia may target critical infrastructure near NATO frontier
Lithuania and Latvia have warned that Russia may test NATO's eastern flank through strikes or provocations against critical infrastructure. The alerts have pushed Baltic states and Poland to tighten security as Moscow dismisses the claims.
Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda has said intelligence assessments suggest Russia may be planning attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic states or Poland. He said authorities were watching the risk of attacks that could disrupt energy and transport systems, including facilities linked to Lithuania's connection with the European electricity grid.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics issued a similar warning, saying Russia could respond with provocations against NATO's eastern flank as Ukraine increases pressure on Moscow. Russia rejected the claims, calling them an attempt to justify NATO's military build-up in the Baltic region.
Nauseda told Lithuania's BNS news agency, "I cannot deny that we have such information and that it concerns limited kinetic operations likely targeting critical infrastructure." He said the intelligence did not point to a specific location or time for any potential attack, and added that such provocations could involve conventional or other means.
Rinkevics said, "Even without a total Ukrainian victory, Russia may indirectly test Article 5 and response mechanisms at the Alliance and European Union levels," referring to NATO's common defence guarantee. He added, "The next few months, or even the next 12 months, will be crucial for Baltic security."
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, all on NATO's eastern flank, have stepped up security around key transport and energy infrastructure in recent months in response to what they describe as a Russian threat. The countries say they have long faced Russian hybrid attacks, and that the threat has grown since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Poland intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea that, according to the Polish government, were carrying out surveillance of Poland's air defence systems while staying outside Polish territorial waters.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the Lithuanian warning about Russia's alleged plans to attack infrastructure in the Baltics and elsewhere in Europe. He told reporters, "It's a fresh batch of bugaboos intended to continue the brainwashing and prepare the population for further militarisation." He added, "To do this, they need to create an enemy image on the other side, our side in this case," and use it "as a pretext to continue moving NATO military infrastructure in all its forms into the Baltic states."
Nauseda's comments echoed warnings made in recent weeks by Polish politicians after multiple media reports said Russia could carry out a limited military or hybrid provocation against Poland in the near future. In late June, Polish outlet onet.pl reported that US intelligence had warned Polish counterparts about the possibility of a Russian attack. Citing its sources, the report said possible scenarios included attacks on critical infrastructure, incursions by Russian soldiers near border areas and drone operations.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on July 3 that the warnings should be taken seriously and noted that he had been issuing similar alerts for weeks. "Poland is preparing very intensively for various scenarios," Tusk said. "I don't want to scare anyone, but the coming months, also because of the changing nature of the war in Ukraine, could be critical." He said concerns were especially strong in the Baltic states, adding, "We are not afraid; we are preparing for various scenarios, but we cannot take this lightly. We are conscious of the dangers also because of information coming from our allies." Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Poland had a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin: "We know what you are planning. Don't do it."
Lithuania's chief of defence, Gen. Raimundas Vaiksnoras, recently said the military had deployed extra forces to help protect strategic infrastructure because of concerns over possible Russian provocations. He also said Russia's recent rhetoric aimed at the Baltic states and Poland appeared to serve a broader purpose, warning that Moscow had long tried to weaken public trust in state institutions, the military and the government. Poland also strengthened protection for key infrastructure after a November attack on rail infrastructure blamed on Russia.
On Monday, the European Union said Russia's FSB Centre 16 had carried out cyberespionage and sabotage against defence industries and critical infrastructure across Europe, including a December attack on a Polish combined heat and power plant supplying heat to nearly 500,000 customers. A recent report by the International Institute of Strategic Studies said Russia likely used shadow ships to launch drones over Europe, repeatedly disrupting civilian aviation between 2024 and 2026.
The Baltic region is also facing strain from stray Ukrainian drones reaching Baltic countries as Ukraine stepped up attacks on Baltic Sea ports used for Russian energy exports. In mid-May, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned over the government's handling of several incidents involving stray drones suspected to have come from Ukraine crossing into Latvian territory. In late May, for the first time in a NATO and European Union capital, people in Vilnius were pictured sheltering in underground parking garages after authorities warned of unidentified drone activity. The developments have added to the wider security concerns in the region, where leaders say they are preparing for possible provocations while Russia denies the allegations.
With PTI Inputs
Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda has said intelligence assessments suggest Russia may be planning attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic states or Poland. He said authorities were watching the risk of attacks that could disrupt energy and transport systems, including facilities linked to Lithuania's connection with the European electricity grid.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics issued a similar warning, saying Russia could respond with provocations against NATO's eastern flank as Ukraine increases pressure on Moscow. Russia rejected the claims, calling them an attempt to justify NATO's military build-up in the Baltic region.
Nauseda told Lithuania's BNS news agency, "I cannot deny that we have such information and that it concerns limited kinetic operations likely targeting critical infrastructure." He said the intelligence did not point to a specific location or time for any potential attack, and added that such provocations could involve conventional or other means.
Rinkevics said, "Even without a total Ukrainian victory, Russia may indirectly test Article 5 and response mechanisms at the Alliance and European Union levels," referring to NATO's common defence guarantee. He added, "The next few months, or even the next 12 months, will be crucial for Baltic security."
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, all on NATO's eastern flank, have stepped up security around key transport and energy infrastructure in recent months in response to what they describe as a Russian threat. The countries say they have long faced Russian hybrid attacks, and that the threat has grown since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Poland intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea that, according to the Polish government, were carrying out surveillance of Poland's air defence systems while staying outside Polish territorial waters.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the Lithuanian warning about Russia's alleged plans to attack infrastructure in the Baltics and elsewhere in Europe. He told reporters, "It's a fresh batch of bugaboos intended to continue the brainwashing and prepare the population for further militarisation." He added, "To do this, they need to create an enemy image on the other side, our side in this case," and use it "as a pretext to continue moving NATO military infrastructure in all its forms into the Baltic states."
Nauseda's comments echoed warnings made in recent weeks by Polish politicians after multiple media reports said Russia could carry out a limited military or hybrid provocation against Poland in the near future. In late June, Polish outlet onet.pl reported that US intelligence had warned Polish counterparts about the possibility of a Russian attack. Citing its sources, the report said possible scenarios included attacks on critical infrastructure, incursions by Russian soldiers near border areas and drone operations.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on July 3 that the warnings should be taken seriously and noted that he had been issuing similar alerts for weeks. "Poland is preparing very intensively for various scenarios," Tusk said. "I don't want to scare anyone, but the coming months, also because of the changing nature of the war in Ukraine, could be critical." He said concerns were especially strong in the Baltic states, adding, "We are not afraid; we are preparing for various scenarios, but we cannot take this lightly. We are conscious of the dangers also because of information coming from our allies." Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Poland had a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin: "We know what you are planning. Don't do it."
Lithuania's chief of defence, Gen. Raimundas Vaiksnoras, recently said the military had deployed extra forces to help protect strategic infrastructure because of concerns over possible Russian provocations. He also said Russia's recent rhetoric aimed at the Baltic states and Poland appeared to serve a broader purpose, warning that Moscow had long tried to weaken public trust in state institutions, the military and the government. Poland also strengthened protection for key infrastructure after a November attack on rail infrastructure blamed on Russia.
On Monday, the European Union said Russia's FSB Centre 16 had carried out cyberespionage and sabotage against defence industries and critical infrastructure across Europe, including a December attack on a Polish combined heat and power plant supplying heat to nearly 500,000 customers. A recent report by the International Institute of Strategic Studies said Russia likely used shadow ships to launch drones over Europe, repeatedly disrupting civilian aviation between 2024 and 2026.
The Baltic region is also facing strain from stray Ukrainian drones reaching Baltic countries as Ukraine stepped up attacks on Baltic Sea ports used for Russian energy exports. In mid-May, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned over the government's handling of several incidents involving stray drones suspected to have come from Ukraine crossing into Latvian territory. In late May, for the first time in a NATO and European Union capital, people in Vilnius were pictured sheltering in underground parking garages after authorities warned of unidentified drone activity. The developments have added to the wider security concerns in the region, where leaders say they are preparing for possible provocations while Russia denies the allegations.
With PTI Inputs
Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda has said intelligence assessments suggest Russia may be planning attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic states or Poland. He said authorities were watching the risk of attacks that could disrupt energy and transport systems, including facilities linked to Lithuania's connection with the European electricity grid.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics issued a similar warning, saying Russia could respond with provocations against NATO's eastern flank as Ukraine increases pressure on Moscow. Russia rejected the claims, calling them an attempt to justify NATO's military build-up in the Baltic region.
Nauseda told Lithuania's BNS news agency, "I cannot deny that we have such information and that it concerns limited kinetic operations likely targeting critical infrastructure." He said the intelligence did not point to a specific location or time for any potential attack, and added that such provocations could involve conventional or other means.
Rinkevics said, "Even without a total Ukrainian victory, Russia may indirectly test Article 5 and response mechanisms at the Alliance and European Union levels," referring to NATO's common defence guarantee. He added, "The next few months, or even the next 12 months, will be crucial for Baltic security."
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, all on NATO's eastern flank, have stepped up security around key transport and energy infrastructure in recent months in response to what they describe as a Russian threat. The countries say they have long faced Russian hybrid attacks, and that the threat has grown since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Poland intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea that, according to the Polish government, were carrying out surveillance of Poland's air defence systems while staying outside Polish territorial waters.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the Lithuanian warning about Russia's alleged plans to attack infrastructure in the Baltics and elsewhere in Europe. He told reporters, "It's a fresh batch of bugaboos intended to continue the brainwashing and prepare the population for further militarisation." He added, "To do this, they need to create an enemy image on the other side, our side in this case," and use it "as a pretext to continue moving NATO military infrastructure in all its forms into the Baltic states."
Nauseda's comments echoed warnings made in recent weeks by Polish politicians after multiple media reports said Russia could carry out a limited military or hybrid provocation against Poland in the near future. In late June, Polish outlet onet.pl reported that US intelligence had warned Polish counterparts about the possibility of a Russian attack. Citing its sources, the report said possible scenarios included attacks on critical infrastructure, incursions by Russian soldiers near border areas and drone operations.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on July 3 that the warnings should be taken seriously and noted that he had been issuing similar alerts for weeks. "Poland is preparing very intensively for various scenarios," Tusk said. "I don't want to scare anyone, but the coming months, also because of the changing nature of the war in Ukraine, could be critical." He said concerns were especially strong in the Baltic states, adding, "We are not afraid; we are preparing for various scenarios, but we cannot take this lightly. We are conscious of the dangers also because of information coming from our allies." Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Poland had a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin: "We know what you are planning. Don't do it."
Lithuania's chief of defence, Gen. Raimundas Vaiksnoras, recently said the military had deployed extra forces to help protect strategic infrastructure because of concerns over possible Russian provocations. He also said Russia's recent rhetoric aimed at the Baltic states and Poland appeared to serve a broader purpose, warning that Moscow had long tried to weaken public trust in state institutions, the military and the government. Poland also strengthened protection for key infrastructure after a November attack on rail infrastructure blamed on Russia.
On Monday, the European Union said Russia's FSB Centre 16 had carried out cyberespionage and sabotage against defence industries and critical infrastructure across Europe, including a December attack on a Polish combined heat and power plant supplying heat to nearly 500,000 customers. A recent report by the International Institute of Strategic Studies said Russia likely used shadow ships to launch drones over Europe, repeatedly disrupting civilian aviation between 2024 and 2026.
The Baltic region is also facing strain from stray Ukrainian drones reaching Baltic countries as Ukraine stepped up attacks on Baltic Sea ports used for Russian energy exports. In mid-May, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned over the government's handling of several incidents involving stray drones suspected to have come from Ukraine crossing into Latvian territory. In late May, for the first time in a NATO and European Union capital, people in Vilnius were pictured sheltering in underground parking garages after authorities warned of unidentified drone activity. The developments have added to the wider security concerns in the region, where leaders say they are preparing for possible provocations while Russia denies the allegations.
With PTI Inputs
