NATO Launches New Mission After String of Undersea Cable Breaks: Expert Points Out Putin's Miscalculations.

Where Putin Got It Wrong on Ukraine: A Strategic Reckoning

According to Espreso.tv: In a candid interview, analyst Edward Lucas dissected Russian President Vladimir Putin's flawed judgments regarding Ukraine. Lucas argued that from the very start of the full-scale invasion, Putin fundamentally miscalculated the West’s willingness to support Kyiv—a critical error in his broader strategic outlook. Looking ahead, Lucas warned that the next six months could prove extremely volatile, highlighting what he sees as the West’s insufficient preparation for a potential escalation in the conflict.

Baltic Sea Incidents and NATO's Response

These observations come against a backdrop of troubling incidents in the Baltic Sea. In November 2024, a submarine telecommunications cable linking Lithuania and Sweden was severed. The following month, an internet cable connecting Finland and Sweden was also cut, and Finnish authorities detained the tanker Eagle S on suspicion of damaging the Estlink 2 power cable. By January 2025, a fiber-optic cable between Latvia and Sweden had been damaged as well.

In response to these threats, NATO has announced the launch of Operation Baltic Sentry, underscoring the region's growing security concerns amid rising tensions. These events highlight the fragile security situation in the Baltic area, where protecting critical infrastructure may require a more robust international response.

Lucas’s critique of Putin’s errors not only sheds light on Russia’s strategic blind spots but also frames the broader security challenges facing Europe. NATO’s heightened activity in the Baltic reflects the seriousness of the threat and the urgent need to safeguard vital undersea assets. It also signals growing international unease over potential disruptions that could destabilize the region.