In a significant move reflecting their growing independence from Russian influence, the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have officially disconnected their electrical grids from Russia and Belarus. This action took place on Saturday morning, initiated by the Lithuanian grid operator, Litgrid, which confirmed the successful disconnection of its decades-old power network. Following Lithuania's lead, both Latvia and Estonia swiftly followed suit, ensuring that the separation process was seamless and went unnoticed by consumers, according to statements from the respective network operators. The three countries are set to synchronize their electricity networks with the European Union's grid on Sunday, a strategic step aimed at solidifying their energy autonomy. The new connection will be facilitated through Poland, marking a significant shift in the Baltic region's energy landscape. In anticipation of potential challenges, the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy has developed emergency plans to manage possible power outages. These plans include provisions for temporarily disconnecting major energy consumers, such as industrial facilities, to maintain essential service levels. The Polish grid operator, PSE, has also announced plans to monitor the new connection with advanced surveillance technology, including helicopters and drones. Despite having ceased imports of electricity and gas from Russia shortly after the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, the Baltic states remained physically linked to the Russian-controlled power grid, originally established in the 1950s to connect Soviet republics. The desire to extricate themselves from this system gained momentum following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, and the urgency increased with the escalation of military aggression against Ukraine and recent suspected sabotage of energy infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, attributed to Russia. The financial investment required to create new, independent grid systems has reached approximately 1.6 billion euros, largely funded by the European Union. While this new infrastructure enhances the Baltic states' energy independence, it also increases their reliance on undersea cables for connectivity. The disconnection from the Russian network is viewed as a protective measure, as it prevents Russia from using the energy grid as a tool for geopolitical leverage, according to Lithuania's Energy Minister. In celebration of this milestone, official events are planned across the three nations, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen scheduled to participate in a ceremony in Vilnius. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, who previously served as Estonia's Prime Minister, characterized this event as a victory for democratic values. Contrarily, Russian officials have claimed that their government has implemented all necessary measures to ensure the reliability and continuity of their energy systems, despite the disconnection. This decisive action underscores the Baltic states' commitment to strengthening their energy security and reducing their dependency on Russian energy resources amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.