Kremlin may test NATO Article 5 - German Navy statement
Russia may try to test NATO's resolve in the Baltic Sea amid growing aggressive actions by its navy. This was stated by German Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jan-Christian Kaack, reports The Times.
Signs of rising tension
According to Kaack, Russian warships have recently been behaving more aggressively. There have also been dangerous flights by Russian aircraft over NATO ships and cases of sabotage at German naval facilities.
The admiral warned of a high risk of an incident at sea.
«We see each other at sea every day. Something can happen - accidentally or on purpose,» he said.
Scenario of a possible NATO test
Europe fears that the Kremlin may take advantage of the uncertainty over the level of US support for NATO to test the limits of Article 5, the Alliance's collective defence clause.
Whereas previously the main scenarios concerned land-based provocations in the Baltic States, NATO planners are now increasingly considering the maritime domain as a potentially vulnerable one.
The «shadow fleet» factor»
Of particular concern is the so-called «shadow fleet» of the Russian Federation - about a thousand old ships used to circumvent oil sanctions.
According to allies:
some ships could launch drones near European bases;
Some suspect damage to subsea cables and gas pipelines;
Russia began to escort such vessels with military personnel.
NATO fears that Moscow may arm part of this fleet.
Is the Baltic a «NATO lake»?»
Despite the widespread opinion after Finland and Sweden joined the Alliance, Kaak warned against underestimating Russia.
He stressed that the Russian Federation retains significant potential in the region through Kaliningrad and St Petersburg and is capable of seriously disrupting maritime communications.
Context.
NATO is already conducting a mission Baltic Sentry to deter Russian provocations in the region.
Against the backdrop of the war against Ukraine and hybrid incidents in Europe, the Baltic Sea is increasingly seen as a potential point of escalation between Russia and the Alliance.
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