Two underwater cables in the Baltic Sea damaged, authorities suspect sabotage

On Sunday, two underwater telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea were severed (between Lithuania and Sweden, and between Finland and Germany). Authorities in Finland, Germany, and Sweden suspect sabotage, considering the incidents as potentially part of a "hybrid war."

Route of the C-Lion subsea cable. Map based on Open Street Map.

Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Regarding the cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden, Swedish company Telia reported that it is unclear whether the damage was accidental or deliberate.

The Finnish cable linking Helsinki with Rostock was completely severed, causing significant disruption to connections.

Both accidental damage and possible sabotage are suspected, especially following previous warnings about increased Russian activity near such cables.

Authorities in Finland, Germany, and Sweden have launched investigations, treating the incidents as potential acts of sabotage or part of a "hybrid war."

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has labeled the incidents as hybrid warfare, despite the perpetrator still being unknown.

Two undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea have been disrupted by sabotage – German Defense Minister Pistorius.

"A very clear sign that something is going on there. No one believes that these cables were accidentally damaged. And I don't want to believe in the versions that… https://t.co/kq9ly24ym5 pic.twitter.com/SS3OCJE3X0

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 19, 2024

Additionally, Swedish, Finnish, and German authorities emphasize that Europe’s security could be threatened by such actions.

Source: IAR/PAP/X/Gerashchenko_en

(m p)

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