Former Soviet countries have warned of sabotage and cyberattack threats as they cut their power links with Moscow and connect to EU networks.
The three Baltic countries are cutting links to Russia’s electricity grid as part of their energy security programme that will be integrated with the European Union network.
Grid operators in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania announced on Saturday morning that they had combined power systems from Brell networks, including Russia and Belarus. The move comes as three former Soviet provinces carefully see Moscow’s attacks in Ukraine.
“We are now removing the ability to use the Russian electricity system as a geopolitical, scary mail tool,” said Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas.
The three countries operate in “separate mode” for about 24 hours before syncing with the EU grid via Poland on Sunday.
“We need to do some testing to ensure Europe is a stable energy system,” said Rokas Masiulis, head of Lithuania’s state-run grid operator Litgrid. : 43am (05:43 GMT).
Long-standing plans to integrate with the European grid gained momentum following the annexation of Crimea in Moscow in 2014, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as well as a massive supply of oil, gas and energy I accelerated by utilizing my role as a person. In Europe.
More recently, the Baltic Sea has been suspected of sabotage in the Baltic Sea where critical infrastructure, including electricity and gas, has been affected.
The former Soviet countries, which joined the EU and NATO in 2004, were considered “energy islands” within the European bloc, but are working hard to connect the systems.
They quickly stopped purchasing Russian energy after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, but their power grid was still connected to Russia and Belarus with a controlled network from Moscow.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will be permanently disconnected from Russia’s power grid tomorrow.
Russia can no longer use energy as a tool for fearful mail.
This is a victory over freedom and European unity.
– Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 7, 2025
EU foreign policy director Kaja Karas – former Estonian Prime Minister – called the move “a victory for freedom and European unity,” and official celebrations are planned across the Balticus.
However, authorities have warned of potential risks, including sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
“There are a variety of short-term risks possible, including movement manipulation on critical infrastructure, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns,” the Lithuanian state security agency told AFP Communications Agency.
Polish power grid operator PSE said it will use helicopters and drones to patrol its connections with Lithuania.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevis told state-owned television station LTV1 that “potential provocation” could not be ruled out.
Army trucks were seen at a power substation in Rezen near the Latvian-Russia border, with armed officers patrolling the area.
But the authorities wanted to highlight after the switch where everything was working well.
“The system is stable, the process is running smoothly, and no one notices anything has changed,” Latvian Energy Minister Kaspers Melnis told Reuters.
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