Russia is reporting collecting data on energy infrastructure off the coast of the Netherlands, as per Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD. Agency head General Jan Swillens announced in a press conference held on Monday that a ship had been detected at an offshore wind farm in the North Sea.
The Russian ship, which is suspected of planning to sabotage the energy infrastructure, is said to have been escorted by both the coast guard and the navy.
Swillens also added that Russia is working to map internet cables and gas pipelines in the area and related energy infrastructure.
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“We saw in recent months Russian actors tried to uncover how the energy system works in the North Sea. It is the first time we have seen this. .. Russia is mapping how our wind parks in the North Sea function. They are very interested in how they could sabotage the energy infrastructure,” Swillens is quoted as saying by Reuters.
The Dutch agencies MIVD and AIVD on Monday meanwhile published a report wherein they state that the mapping of the infrastructure indicates Russia is planning to conduct both disruption and sabotage to the Netherlands, including potential disruptions to the nations water supply.
Expulsion of diplomats
The Netherlands meanwhile on Saturday stated that it would be forcing the Russian embassy to downsize following accusations that Russia was using the embassy to bring spies into the country which then had diplomatic cover.
While a specific number of diplomats to be expelled was not provided, the Netherlands stated that they would be limiting Russia to as many diplomats as are currently permitted for its own office in Moscow. Russia reportedly has been refusing to provide visas to Dutch diplomats that work at both the embassy in Moscow and the consulate in St Petersburg.
The Russian trade office in Amsterdam is also being forced to close as of today in connection with the decision.
The Russian foreign ministry is said to be responding to the move, with further details on its response not yet provided by Moscow.
The accusations follow a report from Seymour Hersch alleging that Norway worked with the US to sabotage the Nord Stream pipelines, for which no nation has officially been blamed.
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