Norway’s top intelligence official, Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes, has raised concerns about the increasing risk of Russian sabotage in Europe, particularly targeting critical infrastructure like oil and gas facilities. In an interview with Reuters, Stensønes stated that Russia has become bolder in its hybrid warfare tactics, which include acts of sabotage aimed at undermining Western support for Ukraine.
“The risk level has changed,” Stensønes said, noting a shift in Moscow’s strategy over the past year. He pointed to recent incidents of sabotage in Europe, suggesting that Russia is more willing to disrupt key infrastructure in response to Western backing of Ukraine. As Europe’s largest provider of natural gas and a significant oil exporter, Norway is particularly vigilant about protecting its extensive energy infrastructure, which includes more than 90 offshore oil and gas fields and 9,000 kilometers of pipelines.
Norway ramped up its defense efforts following the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022, which carried Russian gas to Europe under the Baltic Sea. While no party has claimed responsibility for the explosions, the incident heightened concerns about the vulnerability of energy infrastructure across Europe. The Norwegian navy, with NATO support, has been tasked with guarding critical North Sea oil and gas platforms, though the vastness of the infrastructure makes complete protection difficult.
Western intelligence agencies have increasingly warned of Russian espionage and sabotage activities since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Norway’s intelligence chief emphasized that Russia, now seen as a “pariah state” by many in the West, is likely to continue these covert attacks as it seeks to counter international sanctions and military support for Ukraine.
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