Observing from the deck of a Finnish patrol vessel, I witnessed armed individuals descending from a helicopter and commencing a simulated assault on the ship.
The masked security personnel swiftly advanced to the ship’s command center, vociferously asserting control. Fortunately, this was merely a practice exercise conducted by the Finnish Border Guard, responsible for patrolling an 830-mile border along NATO’s eastern boundary, facing off against Russia. In addition to monitoring Putin’s clandestine naval activities in the Gulf of Finland, the guard unit has conducted operations on suspected vessels causing harm to critical undersea cables.
Demonstrating their protocol for seizing control of a suspicious vessel, camouflaged personnel 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 to St Petersburg in the eastern Baltic Sea.
Given Russia’s close proximity, Finland grapples with Putin’s unconventional warfare strategies and acts of sabotage. The visit by Ms. Cooper underscores the significant threat posed by Russia’s covert naval operations to the United Kingdom.
During the interview, Ms. Cooper emphasized the urgency of cracking down on a network of aging oil tankers operating under questionable flags. These vessels not only evade Western sanctions, indirectly funding Putin’s activities in Ukraine, but they are also implicated in sabotaging vital undersea cables that carry telecommunications data and essential energy supplies such as electricity, oil, and gas.
The UK is reportedly exploring the legality of employing military force to board such vessels, following its involvement in a recent operation alongside US special forces targeting a tanker associated with Russia. The Foreign Secretary’s trip coincides with escalating tensions in the Arctic region.
The changing climate, leading to warmer seas and the opening of new shipping routes, has triggered geopolitical rivalries as resources become accessible due to melting ice. The issue of Greenland’s potential annexation by Donald Trump has heightened global concerns and discussions.
Britain aims to demonstrate its role in shaping security in the High North alongside NATO allies, while potential disruptions may arise if US President Trump acts on his threats.