A Russian ship fired signalling ammunition at a German Bundeswehr helicopter during a reconnaissance mission in the Baltic Sea. The incident occurred while the helicopter was conducting routine operations, according to German press reports. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock confirmed the attack but provided few details. She mentioned the incident on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Brussels.
Baerbock announced on social media that surveillance of pipelines and data cables in the Baltic Sea would be increased. This decision comes in response to rising hybrid threats from Russia and its allies. The use of signalling ammunition is strictly permitted only in emergency situations.
Hybrid Attacks and Increasing Tensions
Baerbock condemned the attack, writing, “Putin is attacking our peace order with hybrid attacks” on social media. The incident comes amid rising tensions in the region. Just last month, damage to two key communication cables in the Baltic Sea drew attention. These cables connect Finland and Germany, as well as Sweden and Lithuania. The cables were severed within 24 hours of each other, raising concerns about potential sabotage.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the cutting of the communication cable between Germany and Finland as an act of “sabotage.” He suggested that “hybrid actors” could be behind the attack but acknowledged that the exact cause remained unclear.
Authorities in Sweden, Germany, and Lithuania are investigating the role of the Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3 in the incident. The ship was reportedly near the damaged cables when the sabotage occurred.
Russia’s Increasing Hybrid Tactics
Several European governments and NATO’s Secretary-General have accused Russia of intensifying hybrid attacks on Western countries. This follows Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow, however, has denied any involvement in these activities.
Hybrid warfare refers to methods used to destabilize countries, such as cyberattacks, infrastructure sabotage, and misinformation campaigns. These tactics aim to weaken states without provoking direct military conflict.