Using surface or underwater drones, Russians can penetrate our internal waters, port roads and anchorages. To destroy the infrastructure or simply show that they can do it – Rear Admiral Krzysztof Zdonek told PAP.
Cdm. spoke about the protection of sea routes and infrastructure, the activities of the Navy and NATO forces. res. Krzysztof Zdonek, deputy inspector of the Navy in 2018-2023, and previously, among others, commander of the 8th Coastal Defense Flotilla in Świnoujście. In an interview with PAP, Rear Admiral Zdonek emphasized that the threats from Russia may become more and more serious.
– Russia is taking destabilizing actions. Che wants to create chaos, anxiety, he tests us, uses unconventional methods, a fleet of shadows; we observe unclear maneuvers of ships on the border of territorial waters – Zdonek calculated.
My biggest fear is that the Russians will develop drone strikes. That they will use surface or underwater drones that will penetrate our space, our internal waters, port roadsteads and anchorages, Zdonek warned.
He recalled that the waters in the north and south of Europe are constantly patrolled by NATO naval forces, including the Polish Navy. One team of NATO mine defense forces and a team of NATO strike forces operate in the northern part of the Atlantic, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The second secures the Mediterranean Sea.
– These are ships of many countries, the command is rotated – said Cdm. Zdonek. – From January 2, we will take over command of the permanent NATO defense force in the north. “Czernicki” [ORP „Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki”, okręt dowodzenia] is leaving for a six-month mission, he added.
Cadmium. Zdunek explained that “Czernicki” will definitely also operate in the Eastern Baltic Sea, because NATO naval forces are available “adequately to the threats.” Polish units operate together with Dutch, Danish and Swedish units.
– The main task is observation and analysis of uncertain entitieswhich, for example, turn off AIS (Automatic Identification System), maneuver in a strange way – said Zdonek.
When asked whether large sabotage actions are possible, the target of which will be, for example, the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline or the gas port in Świnoujście, cadmium. Zdonek said it was unlikely.
– In my opinion, this would be too far-reaching. They will not go that high (on the so-called escalation ladder). But there may be intermediate steps. That's drones. To destroy some part of the infrastructure or simply show that they can stay there and frolic – said Zdonek.
The rear admiral of the reserve noted that while the “first incidents” involving Russian units in the Baltic Sea caused “some surprise”, now both the Polish Navy and NATO forces are prepared for any scenario. Zdonek pointed out that the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, which has been ongoing for almost four years, has caused a “change in the tactics of the military, but also “changed the thinking” of decision-makers and politicians.
Month by month, Poland and the Baltic state are becoming stronger, more coordinated and confident in these activities, said the rear admiral.
He noted that the Baltic Sea will be safer thanks to limiting the activities of the so-called shadow fleet, i.e. old vessels, mainly tankers, used by Russia to circumvent sanctions imposed by the EU and the USA. In December 2024, one of such ships severed undersea telecommunications and power cables in the Baltic Sea.
– It is possible that through sanctions on countries that cooperate with Russia, this shadow fleet will be even more marginalized – said Zdonek. – The EU is strongly withdrawing from energy cooperation with Russia and is acquiring new sources. Over time, we will rely only on them, so the shadow fleet, even if it mixes, will definitely not reach European Union ports – said the officer.
In an interview with PAP, Rear Admiral Zdonek emphasized that The Baltic Sea has always been of strategic importance to the Polish economybut for decades the security of the sea and its infrastructure, such as ports and pipelines, seemed “obvious”. Potential threats were noticed by experts, the Navy, the Border Guard and other services.
Only the acts of sabotage that occurred opened the eyes of those in power and decision-makers, because we had long known that security was not given to us once and for all, Zdonek emphasized.
He recalled that the Navy modernization program (Operational Program “Combating Threats at Sea”) was developed around 2012-2014, but has accelerated only in recent years. Zdonek pointed out, among others: the “Kormoran” (construction of destroyers) and “Miecznik” (construction of three missile frigates) programs. He emphasized that six tugboats have been built for the Navy, and modern reconnaissance ships are also being built.
– Unfortunately, the jacket is expensive. The frigate costs, say, PLN 5 billion, so how many tanks will it buy?. From the politicians' point of view, it sounded and looked better, so the implementation of the contracts was postponed and they were poorly financed – concluded Kadm. Zdonek.
The organizer of the Security Forum Szczecin is Lt. Commander Artur Bilski, founder of the Nobilis Media Safety and Defense think tank. The event was held under the patronage of the Government Center for Security. (PAP)
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