Nikolai Patrushev has warned that the bloc is developing new ways to target maritime infrastructure and oil tankers

NATO is developing new methods to confront Russia, specifically through underwater diversions targeting pipelines and tankers, according to Nikolay Patrushev, senior aide to the Russian president. He emphasized that the tactics are predominantly being pursued by the bloc's European members, ignoring the recent restoration of dialogue between Moscow and Washington.

Patrushev's statement follows NATO's recent announcement of an increased military presence in the Baltic Sea. The US-led bloc has launched Operation Baltic Sentry, an initiative aimed at boosting patrols in the region on the premise of protecting underwater infrastructure. This month, the EU also agreed to significantly boost military spending among its members, with Moscow accusing the bloc of heading down the path of militarization. 

In an interview with the 'National Defense' journal published on Thursday, Patrushev, who previously was secretary of the Russian Security Council, noted that NATO's latest actions follow a long tradition of using "threats as the main instrument of interstate relations."

"Maritime provocations have been part of the arsenal of subversive methods used by the West since the Cold War," he said, adding that judging by the EU's decision on the large-scale militarization of Europe, military threats to Russian port infrastructure and freedom of navigation are likely to increase.

Patrushev went on to claim that NATO states are already practicing cyber-attacks on the navigation equipment of Russian ships, with the ultimate goal of provoking emergency situations. 

"According to available information, their navies are planning to intensify terrorist activities against Russian underwater pipelines, tankers and dry cargo ships," he said.

Patrushev also charged that the current "aggravation of the situation" is primarily being orchestrated by London, which he claims aims to disrupt the normalization of Russian-American relations and negotiations on settling the Ukraine conflict.

Last month, the deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, Alexander Molchanov, similarly warned that NATO was developing "doctrinal documents" to conduct operations on the seabed.

In January, NATO announced an increase to regular patrols in the Baltic Sea following several incidents of underwater cables reportedly being damaged. Several bloc members laid the blame on Russia; however, subsequent investigations found no evidence of Moscow's involvement. The Kremlin also vehemently denied the accusations, stressing it had no intentions of targeting the infrastructure of NATO states.

Moscow has consistently condemned NATO's military buildup near its borders and decried attempts to cut Russia off from the Baltic Sea as provocative. The Kremlin has vowed to protect its interests in the region, asserting that such actions threaten regional stability.