Norway says they are dealing with drone sightings spotted near vulnerable Norwegian energy infrastructure. This comes after the spate of attacks on these crucial structures when needed, like the NordStream pipeline, which was attacked recently.
Norway Threatened with Drone Sightings
It arises after many reported drone flights near the Norwegian and offshore oil and gas facilities over recent months, reported Euronews.
According to Hedvig Moe, deputy chief of the Norwegian Police Security Service, the UAV flights were planned so that the perpetrator could not simply reveal who they were.
These officials allege that the Russians are operating these unmanned aerial vehicles to spy or induce panic and anxiety. However, it has yet to be verified. But it has not been proven, noted the Reformer.
She said in such a news conference that Russia merely has more to gain and less to lose by undertaking covert operations in Norway presently compared to the circumstances well before the war. Due to sanctions, Moscow is in a tight situation and alone.
Additionally, a warning that the entire security and political climate are declining, with an unknown bad actor menacing and ultimately culminating in a rapidly deteriorating scenario for the country.
Russia Caught Conducting UAV Flights
Authorities in Norway have apprehended seven Russian nationals for flying drones and recording images of these photos about sites that officials classify. It includes vulnerable Norwegian energy infrastructure.
Last Wednesday, stories surfaced of the arrest of a 47-year-old man with mixed Russian and British citizenship flying a drone over the Arctic sea in Svalbard, mentioned The Local.
The 47-year-old man will be remanded in custody for two weeks. He is charged with violating sanctions after Russia launched a war on Ukraine, as said Moe but refused to elaborate.
According to Norwegian legislation, aircraft controlled by Russian enterprises or nationals are not permitted to land, take off, or fly over Norwegian territory. Oslo is not an official member of the EU, but the nation copies what the bloc does.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre sent a statement to an outlet stating that drone flights over airports were prohibited, and Russians could not fly them either. In addition, UAVs would not be permitted to fly over sites.
As said, airport operator, Avinor spoke to an outlet that 50 UAV incidents were disclosed in civilian airports, although there were 27 sightings in July.
Moe added that the Norwegian Police Security Service abbreviated PST, aims to cooperate closely with the local police agencies conducting probes.
After last month's underwater explosions, which ruptured two natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea created to transport Russian gas to Germany, several European countries beefed up security around key energy, communications, and energy infrastructure.
Norway and its enforcement agencies that deal with vulnerable Norwegian energy infrastructure are under threat after the NordStream pipeline.
Related Article: Russia Airs Grievances Against UN Security Council's Accusations That Kremlin Sabotaged Nord Stream Pipeline
