Polish government allowed to sink enemy ships threatening gas pipeline from Norway
NATO intelligence warns that Russia is mapping critical infrastructure on land and underwater in preparation for attacks
Following NATO's warning that Russia could sabotage undersea energy infrastructure, the Polish government has approved a bill that would allow the military to sink an enemy ship that threatens a key gas pipeline from Norway across the Baltic Sea.
Source. This was reported by Reuters.
In "exceptional situations" and when other options have been exhausted, the military will be allowed to disrupt a terrorist attack by sinking an enemy ship or plane, the government said on Thursday.
In addition, a permanent coast guard base will be established in the port of Świnoujście, located near the border with Germany, where an LNG terminal is located.
The Baltic Pipe gas pipeline from Norway, which runs through Denmark and the Baltic Sea, was opened on September 27, 2022, the day after the explosion at Nord Stream (with which it intersects). Gas began to be delivered in October, with a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters per year.
At the Baltic Pipe opening ceremony, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said: "The era of Russian dominance in the gas sector is coming to an end. An era marked by blackmail, threats and extortion".
European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson called the gas pipeline from Norway "a key project to ensure security of supply to the region."
A bill prepared by the Polish government to protect the pipeline is to be approved by parliament.
This week, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security David Kattler said that Russia is mapping critical infrastructure in the bloc on land and underwater, preparing for attacks on underwater targets in Europe and North America. In particular, "Russia may target submarine cables," he said.
And in April, a joint investigation by Scandinavian media showed that dozens of Russian research and fishing vessels were mapping the underwater infrastructure of the region's countries. They were trying to gather information that would help paralyze the energy supply of Northwest Europe or organize sabotage, including by cutting power and data cables, Western intelligence agencies said.
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