- Russia is considering staging a false-flag attack against critical infrastructure in the Baltics using Ukrainian drones in an attempt to discredit Kyiv and weaken NATO's backing for Ukraine, Lithuania's defence minister, Robertas Kaunas, has warned.
- Kaunas stated that parts of Ukrainian drones launched against military and energy targets inside Russia could be used for such an attack.
- There is no indication that such an operation is imminent, but that Russia is actively planning scenarios, according to Kaunas.
- Lithuania has stepped up security around key energy infrastructure, such as the Klaipėda liquefied natural gas terminal and the LitPol Link electricity interconnector with Poland.
- Earlier this year, Lithuanian authorities concluded that drones crashing on its territory were Ukrainian aircraft that had been diverted from their intended routes by Russian electronic systems while carrying out strikes inside Russia.
- Last year, two Russian drones crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus before crashing.
Lithuania's defense minister, Robertas Kaunas, has raised alarms over a potential Russian false-flag operation involving Ukrainian drones aimed at critical Baltic infrastructure. He stated, “We are talking about a potential false-flag operation where a fake Ukrainian drone could be used,” emphasizing that this is the most realistic scenario currently considered.
Kaunas elaborated that parts of Ukrainian drones, previously launched against military and energy targets in Russia, could be repurposed for such an attack. “Russia is capable of assembling them into a functional device,” he noted, highlighting the theoretical possibility of a false-flag operation.
Despite the warning, Kaunas reassured that there is “no indication that such an operation is imminent,” but acknowledged that Russia is actively planning various scenarios. This warning aligns with reports from Lithuanian military intelligence suggesting that Russia is contemplating attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic region using Ukrainian-made drones.
In response to these threats, Lithuania has heightened security around key energy facilities, including the Klaipėda liquefied natural gas terminal and the LitPol Link electricity interconnector with Poland. Kaunas pointed out that the Kremlin's motives may include sowing discord within NATO and diminishing Western military support for Ukraine, stating, “In order to preserve its grip on power and maintain the image of victory, the Russian regime is looking for alternative ways to escalate the situation.” He concluded with a firm assurance that such plans will not succeed.
“Kaunas said Russia could assemble parts of Ukrainian drones that struck targets inside Russia into a functional device for the operation. Lithuania has boosted security around key energy sites, including the Klaipėda LNG terminal and the LitPol Link interconnector, as a precaution.”
Euronews.com
