Baltics, Poland Warn of Russian Sabotage Attempts; Kremlin Denies

Lithuanian and Latvian leaders have issued warnings about potential Russian sabotage attempts targeting critical infrastructure, with Poland also expressing similar concerns. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda stated that intelligence assessments indicate Russia is planning potential attacks on energy and transport systems in the Baltic states or Poland, though specific locations and timing remain unidentified. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics echoed these concerns, suggesting Russia might respond with provocations against NATO's eastern flank as it tests the alliance's mutual defence pact amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russia has denied the claims. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the allegations as 'scare stories' designed to justify NATO's military buildup in the region and create an enemy image. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the warnings should be taken seriously, noting that Poland has been preparing for various scenarios and that the coming months could be critical for Baltic security.

In response to the heightened threat, Lithuania's military has deployed additional forces to protect strategic infrastructure. The European Union has accused Russia's FSB Center 16 of conducting cyber-espionage and sabotage against defense industries and critical infrastructure across Europe, including a December attack on a Polish power plant.