Russian Fishing Vessel Conducts Suspicious Maneuvers Near Polish Gas Pipeline
Władysławowo, Poland – A Russian fishing ship engaged in suspicious activity near the Petrobaltic pipeline in the Baltic Sea on October 1st, prompting a warning from Polish border guards, according to a Reuters report. The vessel slowed its speed adn performed unusual maneuvers approximately 18 nautical miles north of Władysławowo, bringing it within 300 meters of the critical infrastructure.
Following a radio warning, the ship altered course and moved away from the pipeline. Polish Interior Ministry spokesman Karolina Galecko confirmed the vessel’s proximity to the pipeline. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Baltic Sea region, where NATO members have increased efforts to protect underwater cables and pipelines following a series of suspected sabotage attacks largely attributed to Moscow.
This incident comes after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk referenced ongoing Russian provocations in the Baltic Sea during an EU summit in Copenhagen on Thursday, though he did not detail the specifics of the event near the port of Szczecin, located approximately 300 kilometers southwest of Władysławowo.
The Russian embassy in Warsaw has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the incident. The Baltic Sea is bordered by six NATO countries – Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Germany - all of whom are now prioritizing the security of their underwater infrastructure.
