Poland and Baltic states boost infrastructure protection amid Russian threat

Poland and the Baltic states are stepping up protection of critical infrastructure following intelligence reports of a possible Russian provocation. One of the scenarios under consideration involves an attack on a key facility, which Moscow could then try to blame on Ukraine, Reuters reports.

The concerns relate primarily to energy and transport facilities. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda earlier confirmed that the country's intelligence services had received signals that Russia might be preparing limited operations against critical infrastructure in Poland or the Baltic states. There is no specific information about the timing and location of a potential attack in the intelligence community.

Among the scenarios discussed is the use of an intercepted or specially reconstructed drone of a Ukrainian model. Such a device could theoretically be used against an infrastructure facility, after which blame would be shifted to Ukraine. The Lithuanian authorities regard this scenario as a possible attempt to test NATO unity and the allies' stance on continued support for Kyiv.

Against this backdrop, Lithuania has significantly strengthened security at energy and transport infrastructure sites. Additional military personnel have already been deployed for the protection of strategic facilities. Enhanced measures have been extended, notably to energy nodes and other facilities essential to the functioning of the national power grid.

Additional steps are also being implemented in Latvia. The State Security Service reported that after the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, critical infrastructure protection has become a priority. Security has been tightened at several sites, the frequency of territory patrols has been increased, and staff are receiving extra instructions on actions to take when suspicious activity is detected.

Poland is also maintaining an elevated security posture. The country's railway infrastructure is under the third alert level, CHARLIE, and the rest of the country under the second level, BRAVO. These measures also apply to Polish energy infrastructure located abroad. The alert levels are valid until the end of August.

Warsaw has previously confirmed that the authorities are preparing for several possible scenarios. Media reports have cited drone attacks on power plants and other critical infrastructure facilities, as well as actions that could force NATO member states to activate air defence systems.

Concerns have been heightened by a series of drone incidents in the region and Russian information campaigns, during which Moscow claimed that the Baltic states were allegedly allowing Ukraine to use their territory and airspace for strikes on Russia. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have dismissed these accusations, and NATO described such statements as groundless.

However, regional authorities are not claiming that an attack is imminent. Estonian security officials have previously noted that they possess no evidence of an unequivocal Russian decision to carry out a specific strike on Poland or the Baltic States. So it is about being prepared for potential scenarios and enhancing infrastructure resilience.

The Kremlin rejects any allegations of preparation for such operations and says that the Baltics' warnings are being used to justify a stronger NATO presence in the region.

Based on materials from: Reuters