Poland and Baltic states shield critical infrastructure against potential Russian false-flag drone attacks

Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have tightened security around vital energy and national infrastructure, acting on intelligence warnings that Moscow may stage false-flag attacks using Ukrainian-made drones to provoke a political crisis within NATO.

Lithuania deployed troops alongside riot police to protect its floating liquefied natural gas terminal at Klaipėda, an oil products terminal, a key power link with Poland, and the Kruonis hydro plant.

Latvia reinforced security around the Daugava River dam near Riga and the Incukalns underground gas storage facility.

In Poland, state-owned energy developers launched an investigation alongside security services after forged documents surfaced targeting the construction site of the country’s first nuclear power plant, a move traced to sources east of Poland. Military personnel also stepped up security around power grid interconnectors running to Ukraine.

Baltic intelligence assessments indicate Russian military and domestic security agencies may execute a staged attack inside Russia or across the border using captured or forged Ukrainian drones. Regional officials warn that Moscow’s primary objective is to trigger political paralysis in Brussels by forcing NATO members into a divisive debate over how to respond.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the reports, calling warnings of Russian sabotage scare stories used to justify NATO militarisation.

The surge in defensive measures follows a series of unexplained drone incidents across Europe, including an explosive-laden drone recently discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. With Russian forces facing continued pressure in Ukraine, intelligence analysts suggest Moscow may be attempting to destabilise European infrastructure to test the alliance’s political resolve.