Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow targeting Netherlands' North Sea infrastructure, says Dutch military intelligence

The Netherlands’ military intelligence agency said Russia was trying to get intelligence to sabotage critical infrastructure in the Netherlands’ North Sea. This follows the Netherlands’ claim that Russia had been sending spies into the country under diplomatic cover.

Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD said on Monday that Russia has been collecting intelligence to sabotage critical infrastructure in the Netherlands’ North Sea in recent months. MIVD head General Jan Swillens said during a news conference that a Russian ship was spotted at an offshore wind farm in the North Sea while it tried to map out energy infrastructure. Swillens added that the ship was soon escorted out of the North Sea by Dutch marine and coast guard ships before its attempt to gain intelligence was successful.

“We saw in recent months Russian actors tried to uncover how the energy system works in the North Sea. It is the first time we have seen this,” said Swillens. “Russia is mapping how our wind parks in the North Sea function. They are very interested in how they could sabotage North Sea infrastructure.”

In a joint report, intelligence agencies MIVD and AIVD said that critical offshore infrastructure such as internet cables, gas pipes, and windmill farms became the target of Russian sabotage activities. The agencies added that covert attempts by Moscow to threaten the Netherlands’ water and energy supplies were also likely.

This follows the Netherlands’ announcement on Saturday that it would expel a number of Russian diplomats as it accused Moscow of sending spies under diplomatic cover to the country. The Netherlands also ordered Russia to close its trade mission in Amsterdam and said it would be shutting down the Dutch consulate in St. Petersburg.

Meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian presidential aide said on Tuesday that Belarus has ramped up its “aggressive and militaristic rhetoric” ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this week. However, Kyiv said there was no imminent threat from Belarus.

“We do not see any logistics action in Belarus aimed at forming a strike force. Nor do we see an accumulation of equipment needed for a ground offensive,” presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters. “Official Minsk is unwaveringly supporting Russia on the information side. Nevertheless, we have the northern direction under special control.”