Norway Warns of Increased Russian Sabotage Threats

Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensoenes, head of Norway's Intelligence Service, has warned that the risk of Russian sabotage against Norway's oil and gas infrastructure has increased significantly over the past year, as Moscow adopts a bolder stance in response to Western support for Ukraine. He noted that acts of sabotage have already been observed in Europe, suggesting that Russia is escalating its hybrid warfare tactics. While Norway's intelligence agencies previously deemed such sabotage unlikely, they now consider it a plausible threat, particularly targeting petroleum facilities. In response to these concerns, Norway has strengthened its defenses, deploying naval forces to protect its extensive undersea infrastructure. Russia's embassy in Oslo has dismissed these warnings as unfounded, asserting they serve to justify Western military preparations. The complexities of safeguarding Norway's vast gas pipeline network, which stretches over 9,000 km, pose ongoing challenges despite enhanced security measures.