Baltic states and Poland stepping up infrastructure protection amid concerns over Russian provocations

RIGA - Poland and the Baltic states are stepping up infrastructure protection amid concerns that Russia might carry out provocations, Reuters reports.

The agency reports that, according to an assessment by the Baltic states’ intelligence services, the Russian military may already be planning a so-called "false flag" attack-that is, a provocation for which it would blame the other side. Concerned about such a scenario, NATO countries bordering Russia are stepping up infrastructure protection, reports Reuters, noting that this involves protecting dams, power plants, and gas pipelines.

"We are not naive-we monitor the information, know how to read between the lines, and conduct our own investigations," Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas told Reuters. He emphasized that Lithuania is strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and is constantly monitoring intelligence reports while planning further measures.

Latvia has also stepped up security for its critical infrastructure. "The risk of potential hybrid threats is currently greater than before," acknowledged Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs.

Reuters quoted a representative of a Baltic country’s intelligence service as saying that the Russian military and special services are planning a possible "false flag" attack on the infrastructure of the Baltic states and Poland-or even on Russia itself- using drones manufactured in Ukraine.

U.S. media reported last week that, according to U.S. intelligence assessments, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin might attempt to test NATO’s resolve by carrying out a limited attack on a NATO country even before the war in Ukraine ends. Previously, U.S. intelligence agencies believed that Putin would most likely not provoke any NATO member state until the war Russia started against Ukraine had ended.