The US Marine Corps will participate in the NATO-led Baltic Sentry surveillance operation in Finland for about a month, according to a statement by the Navy in Helsinki.
A detachment of approximately 40 personnel will arrive this week and operate in cooperation with the Coastal Brigade, reports YLE.
The detachment will have access to unmanned aerial vehicles. This intensification of NATO activities in the Baltic Sea will result in an increased maritime presence, enhanced surveillance and information exchange, and additional training activities with allies.
In a separate development, a new suspected cable break has been detected in the Baltic Sea, as confirmed by the Swedish Coast Guard to Finland Radio.
The cable, identified as C-Lion 1, runs between Finland and Germany and has reportedly broken in the Swedish exclusive economic zone off Gotland.
Swedish Prime Minister announced via the messaging service X that the information about the possible damage is taken very seriously.
The Swedish Coast Guard has been aware of the incident since yesterday, although it remains unclear when the cable break occurred.
The incident was first reported by the Swedish TV4 channel, and the Swedish Defence Forces have confirmed their awareness of the situation. SVT also reports receiving confirmation from the Swedish Defence Forces regarding the cable breach. The Swedish prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary investigation, with the coast guard sending a ship to the scene, as reported by Reuters.