Russia covertly mapping key energy infrastructure for sabotage, Dutch report warns
February 21, 2023 2 Comments
THE RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICES are “covertly mapping” the energy infrastructure of the North Sea, in preparation for acts of disruption and sabotage, according to a new report form the Dutch government. The 32-page report was published this week, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was authored collaboratively by the two main intelligence agencies of the Netherlands, the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD).
The report notes that Russian spy ships, drones, satellites and human agents are engaged in an unprecedented effort to chart the energy and other “vital marine infrastructure” of the North Sea. The purpose of this effort is to understand how the energy and other key infrastructure works in the North Sea. The term North Sea refers to the maritime region that lies between France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom. It hosts key energy infrastructure, including oil, natural gas, wind and wave power installations, which supply energy to much of northern Europe.
According to the report, Russian intelligence and espionage activities in the North Sea “indicate preparatory acts of disruption and sabotage. These appear to be aimed at energy systems, but also other vital infrastructure, such as undersea power and communication cables, and even drinking water facilities. Consequently, physical threats toward any and all of these facilities should be viewed as conceivable, the report warns.
On Saturday, the Dutch government said it would expel an undisclosed number (believed to be at least ten) of Russian diplomats. It also accused Moscow of engaging in constant efforts to staff its diplomat facilities in the Netherlands with undercover intelligence officers. On the same day, the Dutch government said it would shut down its consulate in Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg, and ordered Russia to shut down its trade mission in the port city of Amsterdam.
► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 21 February 2023 | Permalink
intelNews.org 
All these may be routine Russian intelligence activities – extending from Russia’s 1950s Cold War sabotage of NATO countries’ infrastructure surveys.
Main difference is the heightened tensions with Russia, during this Ukraine Era, justifies more publicity of these Russian activities.
Here’s a twist an a closely related matter:
The center-left UK Guardian reports, March 8, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/08/german-prosecutors-searched-boat-nord-stream-saboteurs-may-have-used :
“German prosecutors searched boat Nord Stream [Baltic Sea gas pipeline] saboteurs may have used.
Ministers urge caution over reports pro-Ukrainian group behind gas pipeline blasts.
…“But I am warning against jumping to conclusions,” Pistorius told a meeting of defence ministers in Stockholm, adding that the likelihood was “equally high” that the bombing of the pipelines, which carry gas from Russia to Germany across the Baltic, could have been a “false-flag operation to blame Ukraine”.
…The attack, which is being investigated by Germany, Sweden and Denmark, helped Ukraine by severely denting Russia’s ability to sell natural gas to western Europe, but also arguably harmed it by pushing up energy prices for key allies, including Germany….”