The fiber optic cables that were damaged in the Baltic Sea were probably an act of sabotage. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, among others, said this on Friday. But there is no evidence for that, he admitted at the same time.
As reported, two telecommunications cables between Finland and Germany and the Swedish island of Gotland and Lithuania were damaged in November (see video above). At the end of November, the relevant grid operators announced that the cables had been repaired. A Chinese ship that was said to have been near a cable at the time of the incident came under suspicion.
Causes difficult to identify
The bulk carrier “Yi Peng 3” is said to have dragged its anchor to the seabed. The Swedish government demanded that the ship be returned for investigation. However, no authority could prove that this was intentional. The Chinese government has agreed to assist in the investigation. The Kremlin, in turn, has denied any involvement in the incidents.
The Baltic Sea, on whose coast eight NATO states and Russia lie, is increasingly becoming a flashpoint. Since February 2022, at least three incidents have occurred that may have involved sabotage against telecommunications cables and gas pipelines running on the relatively shallow seabed.
NATO expands patrols
“NATO is increasing patrols, (…) allies are investing in innovative technologies that can help better protect these assets,” said Commander Arlo Abrahamson, spokesperson for NATO’s Allied Maritime Command. But the ease with which a ship’s anchor can cut a cable, combined with the often treacherous sea conditions, makes it virtually impossible to actually prevent such attacks.
The six-ship mine hunting fleet is deployed to observe suspicious underwater activities. A hull-mounted sonar scans the seabed. Drones can take underwater photos and videos and specialist divers are available for inspection.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
