NATO has launched a new mission to protect the Baltic Sea following the suspected sabotage of undersea cables by Russia.

       The alliance's Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced the deployment of roughly 10 ships to monitor the waters known as NATO Lake.

       The mission, dubbed Baltic Sentry, will see these ships monitor energy and data cables in the Baltic Sea for up to four months, and could begin as early as this week.

       The aim of the move is to deter future saboteurs and increase the likelihood of catching them after Russia was accused of cutting undersea cables.

       Mr Rutte said: "It will involve a range of assets, including frigates and maritime patrol aircraft, among others, and will enhance our vigilance in the Baltic.

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       "By working together with all allies, we will do what it takes to ensure the safety and security not only of our critical infrastructure but of all that we hold dear.

       "Ship captains must understand that potential threats to our infrastructure will have consequences, including possible boarding, impounding, and arrest."

       Baltic Sentry will involve frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, naval drones, and surveillance assets to protect the critical infrastructure beneath the Baltic Sea.

       This comes after Finnish Police accused the Russian-linked Eagle S ship of dragging its anchor across the sea floor for 60 miles, damaging a power cable and several data cables.

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       Labour also announced on Monday a new initiative using artificial intelligence to "track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet" - the name given to ships used to circumvent sanctions.

       The Defence Ministry said: "Specific vessels identified as being part of Russia's shadow fleet have been registered into the system so they can be closely monitored when approaching key areas of interest."

       Finland's Defence Minister Antti H？kk？nen added that his country's ability to monitor ships would be bolstered by the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) - a multi-national military partnership designed for rapid response and expeditionary operations.

       Mr H？kk？nen said JEF countries coming together would help "to better identify suspicious vessels even before they arrive in Finland's vicinity".