Defending Maritime Assets: Approaches to Critical Infrastructure Protection

The conflict in Ukraine has thrust the Black Sea into the center of the largest European dispute since 1945, leading to significant consequences for both the Alliance and the countries neighboring the Black Sea. The Kremlin's strategic use of energy resources has disrupted the flow of hydrocarbons, which remained untouched even during the tensest moments of the Cold War. Simultaneously, the potential for offshore energy sources in the Black Sea presents an opportunity for the region to achieve greater energy independence. This could be realized in the short term through oil and gas, as well as in the long term through the development of renewable energy sources.

These prospects coincide with a volatile security environment in the Black Sea region. While military actions have escalated in the Northern Black Sea, countries along the coast such as Georgia and Romania have been confronted with Russian New Generation Warfare tactics since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since 2017, Russian military exercises have effectively blocked access to the Black Sea, employing legal strategies as part of their approach. This has led to a blurring of the lines between traditional notions of hot and cold wars.

The Gerasimov doctrine and incidents like the Nord Stream sabotage have underscored the fact that critical energy infrastructure is no longer off-limits, and the unique characteristics of maritime infrastructure have turned it into a new arena in the realm of hybrid warfare