Lithuania’s military intelligence has obtained information indicating that Russia is considering attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic states using Ukrainian-made drones, the Lithuanian news portal 15min.lt reported on Thursday.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed the information to the publication.
“We have intelligence indicating that Russia is considering unconventional kinetic attacks against critical infrastructure in the Baltic region. To carry out such operations, Russia would most likely use drones manufactured in Ukraine,” Kaunas said.
No further details have been released regarding potential targets or the possible timing of any attacks. According to the report, Russia could use captured Ukrainian drones in an attempt to obscure the true origin of an attack and deny any involvement in strikes against NATO territory.
In recent years, military drones have repeatedly entered NATO airspace.
Initially, officials suggested that Russian electronic warfare systems had altered the flight paths of Ukrainian drones, causing them to end up in European Union member states. However, there is growing consensus that Moscow is deliberately directing Ukrainian drones toward Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Finland.
Leaders on NATO’s eastern flank have recently issued public warnings that they possess intelligence indicating Russia is preparing kinetic provocations against their countries.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has previously stated that the country’s key transport and energy infrastructure could face threats both through conventional military means and acts of sabotage.
Since the 18th of June, the Lithuanian Armed Forces have been assisting the Public Security Service in protecting the Klaipėda liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, the LitPol Link electricity interconnection with Poland in Alytus, a transformer substation in the Alytus district, and the Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant.
On the 17th of July, Lithuania’s Defence Minister signed a decree extending the military protection of these facilities until the 19th of August.
Under the order, the armed forces are required to deploy a unit of up to 30 troops,
supported by transport assets, as well as a vessel or boat with its crew.
According to the report, Moscow’s alleged plans to stage provocations are linked to Russia’s difficulties on the battlefield in Ukraine and the Kremlin’s desire to secure a rapid victory. The Kremlin has denied allegations that it is preparing such attacks.
Moscow has also repeatedly accused the Baltic states of allowing their airspace to be used by Ukraine to conduct attacks against Russia. Senior officials in the Baltic countries have publicly rejected those claims.
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