A French Navy Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft was illuminated by the fire-control radar of a Russian long-range air defense system, while flying over the Baltic Sea earlier this week, according to France’s Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu.

NATO has launched a mission to safeguard critical underwater infrastructure on the Baltic Sea floor. The operation follows previous incidents of interruptions to submarine cables, most likely planned by Russia.

NATO is stepping up its response over what it sees as an increasing threat to vital infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Its new mission "Baltic Sentry" aims to protect undersea cables from sabotage after a spate of alleged attacks with a Russia-linked so-called shadow fleet involved.

Why has NATO launched a new operation in the Baltic Sea? Are the sanctions against Russia by the EU and US really working? Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations,

NATO has launched a mission to safeguard critical underwater infrastructure on the floor of the Baltic Sea. The operation follows previous incidents of interruptions to submarine cables, most likely planned by Russia.