In recent years, the Baltic and North Seas have seen increased activity from Russian "research ships," raising concerns about the safety of critical undersea infrastructure.
Vulnerable Pipelines
These vessels, often linked to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, have been spotted near vital gas pipelines, undersea communication cables, and offshore energy installations, prompting suspicions of espionage and sabotage.
The importance of these waters cannot be overstated. Undersea cables transmit 99% of global data, including $10 trillion in daily financial transactions.
Pipelines like the Baltic Pipe supply 60% of Poland’s natural gas needs, according to WP. However, recent incidents, such as the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines and the severing of Finland’s Balticconnector pipeline, have highlighted their vulnerability.
Mapping Strategic Areas
While Russian officials claim their vessels conduct scientific research, investigations suggest otherwise. Ships like the Sibiriakow operate with transponders disabled, making them harder to track.
Reports indicate that such vessels map the seabed and monitor military exercises. Investigative journalists recently revealed that 200 Russian vessels may be involved in these activities in the North Sea alone, with similar operations reported in the Baltic.
In one notable case, a former Sibiriakow crew member disclosed that the ship’s mission included mapping strategic maritime areas such as ports and shipping lanes.
Data from these missions could support future sabotage efforts or provide an advantage in open conflict.
The threat isn’t limited to ships. GPS jamming and interference with NATO exercises have also been attributed to Russian operations.
To counteract these risks, European nations have ramped up monitoring, with NATO keeping a close watch on Russian movements. However, international laws limit their ability to act unless territorial waters are breached.
