Baltic Leaders Warn Russia May Target Critical Infrastructure

The presidents of Lithuania and Latvia have warned that Russia may be preparing attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic states or Poland, citing intelligence assessments, Greta Ruffino reported for Euronews.

Baltic leaders warn of potential Russian threats against regional energy and transport infrastructure. (Photo: Gitanas Nausėda Facebook)

"We are talking about energy and transport infrastructure—facilities where damage could disrupt the functioning of the entire energy system," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said during a joint news conference in Vilnius with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs.

"This planning is taking place at the highest level, effectively in Moscow," Nausėda added.

Rinkēvičs warned that Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—all members of NATO and the European Union—must prepare for possible Russian provocations designed to test the alliance's collective defense commitments while the war in Ukraine continues.

"Even without a total Ukrainian victory, Russia may indirectly test Article 5 and response mechanisms at the alliance and European Union levels," he said, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).