NATO is deploying a fleet of up to ten vessels to the Baltic Sea to safeguard critical underwater infrastructure, Yle reported on Tuesday. The operation, set to begin later this week, would involve ships from NATO's Baltic Sea fleet and additional vessels sent by member states.

The deployment aims to discourage sabotage near key energy and data cables. While Finland and Estonia will focus on guarding the Gulf of Finland, other NATO ships will patrol various parts of the Baltic Sea. According to Yle, the ships will remain in the area until April. Although NATO cannot restrict passage through international waters, the presence of these vessels is expected to increase the risks for any potential saboteurs, serving as a preventive measure, the media noted.

The report comes following remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had announced NATO would bolster its military presence in the Baltic Sea.