Is Russia preparing to sabotage infrastructure in the North Sea?
According to Dutch intelligence, Russia is monitoring the North Sea in preparation for acts of sabotage. All the details. The article by Giuseppe Gagliano
Russian intelligence services are monitoring the energy infrastructure of the North Sea, in preparation for acts of disruption and sabotage, according to a new Dutch government report. The 32-page report was released this week, ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It was co-authored by the Netherlands' two top intelligence agencies, the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD).
RUSSIA IS SPYING THE NORTH SEA
The report notes that Russian spy ships, drones, satellites and spies are engaged in an unprecedented effort to trace the energy and other "vital marine infrastructure" of the North Sea. The purpose of this effort is to understand how energy and other key infrastructure works in the area.
The term "North Sea" refers to the maritime region that lies between France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom. It hosts key energy infrastructure, including oil, natural gas, wind and wave power plants, which supply much of northern Europe with energy.
PREPARING FOR SABOTAGE?
According to the report, Russian intelligence and espionage activities in the North Sea “indicate preparatory acts of disruption and sabotage. These appear to be aimed at energy systems, but also other vital infrastructure, such as underwater power and communication cables, and even potable water systems. Consequently, physical threats to all of these facilities should be seriously considered.
On Saturday, the Dutch government said it would expel an undisclosed number (believed to be at least ten) of Russian diplomats. He also accused Moscow of engaging in constant efforts to infiltrate its diplomatic facilities of the Netherlands with undercover intelligence agents. On the same day, the Dutch government said it would close its consulate in Russia's second-largest city, St. Petersburg, and ordered Russia to close its trade mission in the port city of Amsterdam.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/mondo/russia-spionaggio-sabotaggio-mare-del-nord/ on Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:59:56 +0000.