The security policy situation in the Baltic Sea region has suddenly become edgier, says Martin Hurt, a director at the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallinn. “There’s absolutely no reason to think that it could in a positive direction.”
The security policy situation in the Baltic Sea region has suddenly become edgier, says Martin Hurt, a director at the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallinn. “There’s absolutely no reason to think that it could in a positive direction.”
Hurt, who has previously worked for the Estonian Ministry of Defence and on the general staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, points to the intensification in military exercises seen in Russia over the last six months. The other major change is NATO’s increased presence in the Baltics and Poland.
“All Baltic Sea states have increased their readiness. There is increased flight activity over the Baltic, and more ship traffic at sea.”
Hurt says that the autumn hunt for a sub off the coast of Sweden and a recent sighting of an “unidentified underwater object” in Finland are related to intelligence activity.
“It is a completely natural conclusion that it is none other than Russia behind it.”
Soviet Cold War era maps show how strategic mapping was considered. Russia is currently looking to carry out a thorough update of its knowledge, says Hurt.
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