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Poland and Baltic States Boost Security Amid Fears of Russian False Flag Attacks Using Ukrainian Drones
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Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are coordinating efforts to protect critical infrastructure from potential Russian “false flag” attacks, amid concerns that Moscow could seek to stage incidents using captured Ukrainian drones.
According to Reuters on August 10, citing intelligence officials from the four countries, the states are strengthening security around dams, power plants, and gas infrastructure.
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Lithuanian intelligence said last week that Moscow was considering such a phased attack. Poland, Latvia, and Estonia have also warned of possible Russian sabotage operations aimed at testing NATO’s response at a time when questions have been raised over the United States’ commitment to the alliance, the outlet reported.
“We are not naive, we see the information, we read between the lines and we are doing our homework,” Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas told Reuters. “We are increasing the security of our critical infrastructure, we constantly exchange information with our intelligence on what to do next.”
Last month, Lithuania deployed troops to reinforce special forces responsible for protecting an liquefied natural gas import terminal, an oil products terminal, a key electricity transmission line with Poland, and the Kruonis pumped-storage hydropower plant.
Latvia has also strengthened security around critical infrastructure across the country, including a dam on the Daugava River near Riga and the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs told Reuters.
“The potential hybrid threat is more likely than it was before,” he said.
In Poland, state-owned Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe, which is overseeing the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant, said fake company documents had emerged that were intended to mislead stakeholders. The company said their origin could be traced somewhere “east of Poland.”
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe spokesperson Marcin Skolimowski said the company was investigating the matter together with intelligence and law enforcement agencies. It is also monitoring the planned construction site for possible sabotage or other threats.
In July, Poland’s electricity grid operator and a military unit began strengthening security around a power transmission line connecting Poland and Ukraine. The line helps stabilize Ukraine’s energy system, which has been repeatedly targeted by Russian attacks.
“This is an area where heightened vigilance is required, so we are using all available resources,” grid operator spokesperson Maciej Wapiński told Reuters.
The security measures come amid a series of incidents involving Russian military activity near Polish airspace. On August 4, two Polish fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft after it was detected about 56 kilometers northwest of Koszalin in Poland’s West Pomeranian Voivodeship.
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