Next week, ministers of the European Union will discuss what role NATO can play in protecting Europe's energy infrastructure from possible attacks, it is stated in the document, with which the Bloomberg agency got acquainted.
It is noted that Belgium, the current chairperson, will ask the member states what contribution the military alliance can make to the fight against a wide range of threats from the Russian Federation, including sabotage, cyber attacks and hybrid warfare tactics. The bloc will also discuss the financing of cross-border infrastructure.
«The war against Ukraine showed that energy was, is, and probably will remain a conscious and active weapon. In order to create an energy system that will contribute to the security of all member states and the sovereignty of Europe, it is necessary to recognize that a strategic, military aspect was forcibly added to the civilian nature of energy.», — the document says.
The agency writes that the discussion is taking place against the background of heightened concerns about the energy security of the bloc, which is trying to break its dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
Russian mass attack on April 11 — what is known
Recently, Russia has intensified its attacks on the Ukrainian energy industry.
On the night of April 11, Russia pelted Ukraine with Shaheds, cruise missiles from Tu-95MS aircraft, Daggers from MiG-31K and guided air missiles from Su-34. At least 10 strikes were carried out in Kharkiv and the region, the city has new problems with light.
Lviv region, in particular the city of Stryi, was also hit by heavy combined strikes.
In the Zaporizhia region, a rocket hit an infrastructure object. In the Kyiv region, a critical infrastructure object was also attacked, and there was a fire at the object, OVA reported.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russian invaders launched a new massive attack on Ukraine, using, in particular, 40 Shahed-136 UAVs. /131. Air defense forces shot down 37 drones.