European Baltic Sea countries are increasing security coordination as hybrid warfare threats escalate, primarily from Russia's war against Ukraine. Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt convened officials from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Norway, and Ireland in northern Germany to discuss threats around the Baltic Sea. Hybrid threats are growing and becoming more sophisticated, including attacks such as a drone armed with explosives targeting Leipzig airport near a Ukrainian transport plane and incidents of subsea communication cable destruction. The countries plan improved coordination via a hybrid-focused task force, joint exercises for critical infrastructure and drone defense, and integration into EU financial planning. Sweden will deploy fighter jets and naval vessels to help Finland surveil for drones. Upcoming discussions will address the Russian shadow fleet and raise hybrid warfare issues at the EU interior ministers’ meeting in October.

European Baltic Sea countries are increasing security coordination as hybrid warfare threats escalate, primarily from Russia's war against Ukraine. Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt convened officials from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Norway, and Ireland in northern Germany to discuss threats around the Baltic Sea. Hybrid threats are growing and becoming more sophisticated, including attacks such as a drone armed with explosives targeting Leipzig airport near a Ukrainian transport plane and incidents of subsea communication cable destruction. The countries plan improved coordination via a hybrid-focused task force, joint exercises for critical infrastructure and drone defense, and integration into EU financial planning. Sweden will deploy fighter jets and naval vessels to help Finland surveil for drones. Upcoming discussions will address the Russian shadow fleet and raise hybrid warfare issues at the EU interior ministers’ meeting in October.