NATO's standing maritime group is to set off from its base in the German port of Kiel for the Baltic Sea to monitor critical underwater infrastructure following several suspected acts of sabotage, the group's commander said on Friday.

NATO is increasing its surveillance operations in the Baltic Sea region with two ships deployed to the area following suspected sabotage of undersea cables between Finland and Estonia.

If the Russians see that we are present there, the likelihood of such sabotage acts immediately decreases," said one navy commander.

NATO's standing maritime group is to set off from its base in the German port of Kiel for the Baltic Sea to strengthen security and monitor critical underwater infrastructure following recent sabotage concerns.