NATO member Estonia has deployed a naval warship to defend its underwater power cables after a Russian vessel allegedly cut one of the wires in yet another act of sabotage against the allied nations.

NATO allies met on Dec. 30 to address the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, following damage to undersea cables connecting Estonia and Finland several days earlier.

NATO member states have decided to enhance the bloc’s military presence in the Baltic Sea. The decision was made to protect critical infrastructure following recent damage to underwater cables connecting Estonia and Finland,

The Baltic Sea has seen multiple attacks on energy and communications infrastructure since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These have often been linked to hybrid warfare tactics

General Mark Rutte says the military alliance will step up patrols in the Baltic Sea area as Finnish investigators work to establish whether a ship linked to Russia sabotaged undersea cables there this week.

Estonia has ramped up its defensive measures in the Baltic Sea following allegations of Russian sabotage targeting critical undersea infrastructure. In response to the suspected damage to the Estlink 2 power cable,

A power cable connecting Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea suffered a power outage on Wednesday, prompting an investigation.

NATO said on Friday it would boost its presence in the Baltic Sea after the suspected sabotage this week of an undersea power cable and four internet lines, while alliance member Estonia launched a naval operation to guard a parallel electricity link.