Lithuania has intelligence information indicating that Russia may be preparing to carry out provocations of some sort in the Baltic region, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said in an interview with the BNS news agency.
“We have received such signals from our intelligence services. They do not indicate a specific place or time, because it is simply impossible to determine. The other side may not have completed the planning process yet, while we may only have information about the fact of the preparation itself or the possible target. Therefore, I cannot deny that we have such data and that these are kinetic operations – not large-scale actions, but targeted kinetic attacks that could very likely be directed against critical infrastructure facilities,” said Nausėda.
The Lithuanian head of state’s statement came at a time when Poland has also warned that Russia may be planning a so-called “false flag” operation and Estonia noted that Russia had conducted live-fire exercises on a border lake without prior warning.
In an interview published on Wednesday, Lithuanian President Nausėda confirmed earlier media reports that Russia could be planning limited-scale attacks on infrastructure in the Baltic region, using both conventional weapons and other means. At the same time, Nausėda noted that there is currently no information on when and where such attacks could be carried out.
According to Nausėda, given this threat, Lithuania has recently significantly strengthened the protection of critical transport and energy infrastructure facilities.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski had issued a similar warning on Tuesday. According to him, Russia could be preparing a so-called “false flag” operation scenario, in which Ukrainian drones would be used.
“Putin made a similar message about a month ago, stating that if Russia is attacked by a NATO member state, it will respond. Therefore, we suspect that he could prepare Ukrainian drones and use them to attack a NATO member state or Russia, so that he could then respond to this attack. Perhaps this is exactly the scenario he could be preparing, because he is in a desperate situation – he is losing,” said Sikorski.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, who started a two-day visit to Lithuania on Wednesday, also said that information from the intelligence services of the Baltic states and other NATO allies indicates Russia’s intentions to carry out sabotage and hybrid attacks to harm regional security.
“We must be very prepared for a phase of the war in Ukraine when Russia no longer gains any victories and is unable to advance on the battlefield. Even without a complete victory for Ukraine, Russia can indirectly test Article 5 [of the NATO Treaty] and governance mechanisms at the alliance and European Union levels,” said Rinkēvičs.
The Latvian president said that security services are detaining an increasing number of individuals who spy for or collaborate with Russia and Belarus.
“They are really testing our readiness and vigilance. We must be ready to respond to new threats,” Rinkēvičs said.
“The next few months, or even the next 12 months, will be crucial for the security of the Baltic states. We have seen hybrid operations for several years now,” Rinkēvičs added.