Poland and Baltics Shield Infrastructure from Russian Drone Attack
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland bolster security around key energy facilities, fearing Moscow plans a staged attack to test NATO's response.
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland bolster security around key energy facilities, fearing Moscow plans a staged attack to test NATO's response.
Poland and the Baltic states are raising the level of protection for their critical infrastructure, including dams, power plants, and gas terminals. This move reflects growing concern that Russia could stage an attack on its own or allied facilities using Ukrainian drones, all with the aim of testing the unity and resolve of the NATO alliance.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas told Reuters that his country is not naive. "We are not naive, we see the information, we read between the lines, and we do our job," he said. Last month, Lithuania deployed the military to support riot police in securing the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, the oil products terminal, a key energy link with Poland, and the Kruonis pumped-storage hydroelectric plant. "We are increasing the security of our critical infrastructure, constantly exchanging information with our intelligence service on what to do next. We are clearly signaling that we will defend ourselves if necessary," Kaunas added.
Latvia has also stepped up precautions. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs confirmed in an interview with Reuters increased security around all vital facilities, including the dam on the Daugava River near Riga and the Incukalns underground gas storage facility. "A potential hybrid threat is more likely than before," Kulbergs stated.
In Poland, the largest oil and gas company Orlen is analyzing alternative routes for gas imports in case the usual routes are compromised. Orlen imports up to 80% of the country's gas needs via the terminal in Swinoujscie and the subsea pipeline from Norway. Maciej Wapinski, spokesman for the transmission system operator, confirmed heightened vigilance. "This is an area where increased alertness is required, so we are using all available resources," he told Reuters.
Additional concern has been raised by the appearance of forged documents related to Poland's first nuclear power plant. Marcin Skolimowski, spokesman for the state-owned company Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe, said the forgeries, aimed at confusing stakeholders, could be linked to a location "east of Poland." The case is being investigated by special services.
Tensions escalated last week when Lithuania reported that Russia is considering a false-flag attack. In May 2026, Moscow accused the Baltic states of planning drone attacks on Russian territory, which these countries denied. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov last month dismissed Western warnings about covert Russian attacks as "scary stories" used to justify militarization against Russia.
According to assessments by Baltic intelligence services, Russian military and domestic intelligence agencies are planning a possible false-flag attack on infrastructure in Russia, the Baltic states, or Poland, using drones of Ukrainian origin. The attack could occur within days of approval from Russia's top leadership, including President Vladimir Putin. The main concern is not so much the direct damage from such an attack, but the "political chaos" it could trigger at NATO headquarters in Brussels as member states debate how and whether to respond at all.
Wojciech Kononczuk, director of the Polish Center for Eastern Studies (OSW), believes Moscow's goal would be to send a message to Europe: if it does not accept Russian demands, destabilization will follow. The situation has been further heightened after a drone with explosives was found at Leipzig/Halle airport in Germany last week, which German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called a hybrid attack, without attributing blame.
