Shipping companies plying the Baltic Sea may soon be required to pay a fee to help finance the protection of critical undersea infrastructure, according to Estonia’s Defense Minister, Hanno Pevkur.

According to an interview in Japan with NHK World Japan January 30, Pevkur said he suspects that ships from Russia's "shadow fleet" are responsible for a recent series of incidents in which power and communications cables on the floor of the Baltic Sea were damaged. The fleet allegedly transports Russian crude oil while avoiding Western sanctions.

Pevkur said officials are "very seriously" debating what they can do to prevent such "attacks." He said the ships that caused the damage have to take responsibility and pay compensation.

NATO has already stepped up security efforts in response to recent incidents, deploying frigates, patrol aircraft, and drones in the region. Meanwhile authorities continue to investigate multiple cases where ships have allegedly dragged anchors across the sea floor, damaging cables and raising concerns about potential sabotage.

According to Breakbulk News, Pevkur said additional measures are being considered to shield the cables from further harm. These could include installing sensors capable of detecting anchor activity near the seabed or even constructing protective barriers around vulnerable sections.