Lithuania, Poland and other Baltic states are stepping up security around dams, power plants and natural gas infrastructure amid concerns that Russia could stage “false-flag” attacks intended to trigger confusion within NATO, Reuters reported Monday.
Lithuania has strengthened protection of critical infrastructure after its military intelligence reportedly obtained information that Russia was considering attacks in the Baltic region using captured Ukrainian drones in an attempt to obscure their origin.
NATO’s eastern-flank countries have also publicly warned in recent weeks that they have intelligence indicating Russia could be preparing to carry out provocations using kinetic means.
Since June 18, Lithuania’s military has been supporting the Public Security Service in protecting the country’s liquefied natural gas terminal in Klaipėda, the LitPol Link electricity interconnection substation with Poland in Alytus, a transformer substation in the Alytus district and the Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas signed an order July 17 extending the security support through August 19. The military is authorised to deploy a unit of up to 30 personnel, equipped with vehicles, as well as a vessel or boat with a crew.
