Latvia cuts ties with Russia's power grid as the Baltics move to link with the EU's electricity network:::: Rezekne, Latvia:: Kaspars Melnis, Latvian energy minister"It's a historical moment. First of all,

The three Baltic states disconnected their electricity systems from Russia's power grid on Saturday, the region's operators said, part of a plan designed to integrate the countries more closely with the European Union and boost security.

Lithuania and Latvia have disconnected from the Soviet-era Russian electricity system, Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid, has reported. Source: European Pravda,

The flow of electricity between the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and Russia was officially severed Saturday morning after officials switched off the Soviet-era grid's transmission lines and prepared to join the rest of Europe on Sunday.

The Baltic states are set to sever ties with Russia's power grid that date back to the 1950s, and instead integrate further with the European Union, as the suspected sabotage of subsea cables has spurred efforts to strengthen regional security.

Vaiciunas said the Baltic states had completed the disconnection process at 9:09 am (0709 GMT). Latvia later physically cut a power line to Russia. "Now we have complete control over our power grid," Latvian Energy Minister Kaspars Melnis told reporters while holding a piece of the dismantled wire.

The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania completed a switch from Russia's electricity grid to the EU's system on Sunday, severing Soviet-era ties amid heightened security after the suspected sabotage of several subsea cables and pipelines.

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025.