A new mission to protect undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region announced by NATO.
A new mission to protect undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region is being launched by NATO following a string of incidents in the area that have raised concerns about possible Russian activities.
At a meeting in Helsinki with the leaders of NATO countries located on the Baltic Sea, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that the effort would be dubbed Baltic Sentry.
Announcing the new operation, Rutte highlighted that more than 95% of internet traffic is secured via undersea cables.
He added that 1.3 million kilometers (808,000 miles) of these cables facilitate an estimated $10 trillion in financial transactions daily.
The mission will involve frigates and maritime patrol aircraft, and will “increase vigilance in the Baltic.”
A small fleet of naval drones will be deployed “to provide enhanced surveillance and deterrence.”
The fleet is made up of hundreds of old tankers with uncertain ownership and safety practices, evading sanctions and funneling oil revenues to Moscow.
