As I peered out onto the Finnish patrol ship’s deck, I witnessed armed individuals descending from a helicopter and launching an assault on the vessel.
The masked security personnel swiftly made their way to the bridge, vociferously commanding the situation. Fortunately, this was merely a drill conducted by the Finnish Border Guard, tasked with safeguarding an 830-mile border along NATO’s eastern frontier against Russia. The unit actively engages with Putin’s clandestine fleet in the Gulf of Finland and has executed operations on suspected vessels causing harm to critical undersea cables.
Demonstrating their approach to seizing control of a suspicious vessel, camouflaged operatives showcased their tactics to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper during her visit to Finland and Norway. The proximity to Russia was palpable as we boarded the Turva, an offshore patrol ship in Helsinki, overlooking the Gulf of Finland, extending towards St Petersburg, the easternmost part of the Baltic Sea.
Facing Russia’s proximity, the Finnish authorities grapple with Putin’s subversion methods and hybrid warfare strategies. Ms. Cooper’s visit underscored the imminent threat posed by the Russian shadow fleet to the UK.
In our conversation, Ms. Cooper heightened her language regarding the imperative to combat the network of aging oil tankers operating under dubious flags. These vessels not only aid in financing Putin’s unlawful activities against Ukraine by evading Western sanctions but have also been accused of tampering with undersea cables crucial for telecommunications and energy infrastructure, including electricity, oil, and gas supplies.
Reports suggest that the UK is contemplating the legality of using military force to board such vessels following its involvement in a recent operation assisting US special forces in intercepting a tanker linked to Russia. The Foreign Secretary’s trip coincides with escalating tensions in the Arctic region.
The escalating sea temperatures due to climate change have triggered geopolitical tensions as new maritime routes open up, and resources become accessible with melting ice. The issue of Greenland’s potential annexation by Donald Trump has brought the matter to the forefront of global discussions.
Britain aims to demonstrate its significant role in shaping the security landscape of the Arctic region alongside NATO allies. However, the actions of the US President could potentially disrupt this narrative if his threats materialize.