These alerts represent the most recent among several issued by leaders on NATO’s eastern border, indicating Russia might be trying to probe the alliance as the conflict in Ukraine extends beyond four years.
Presidents of Lithuania and Latvia declared on Wednesday, based on intelligence information, that Russia is orchestrating attacks targeting vital infrastructure within the Baltic nations or Poland.
ADVERTISEMENT 
ADVERTISEMENT
«The focus is on energy and transport facilities, where any damage could… impair the entire energy system’s operation,» stated Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda during a joint press briefing in Vilnius, alongside Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics.
«This coordination is occurring at the topmost level, specifically in Moscow,» he added.
Rinkevics cautioned that Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—all members of both the EU and NATO—must ready themselves for potential Russian provocations aimed at testing the alliance’s mutual defense agreement amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
«Even absent a decisive Ukrainian victory, Russia might indirectly challenge Article 5 and the alliance’s and EU’s response protocols,» he explained.
Late June remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted that «varied forms of escalation are likely within the upcoming weeks and months,» describing the situation as «highly unstable».
Authorities from the Baltic States and Poland have already associated Russia with multiple occurrences such as arson, cyber assaults, and sabotage on railway tracks.
The Lithuanian head of state mentioned that his nation has bolstered defenses for its transport and energy sectors as a response to these threats.
The Kremlin’s press representative, Dmitry Peskov, rejected these accusations.
«These are merely fresh fear-inducing tales aimed at maintaining ongoing propaganda and preparing the public for increased militarization,» he conveyed.
Situated adjacent to the Baltic Sea and sharing borders with Russia and its ally Belarus, Lithuania has been a key supporter of Ukraine since the outset of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Lithuania leads NATO in defense spending relative to its GDP, allocating 5.33% toward military expenditures.