Germany has voiced serious concerns about the recent damage to two undersea communication cables in the Baltic Sea. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has hinted at potential sabotage, calling the incidents a significant threat to critical infrastructure in the region.
Suspicious Cable Disruptions
The disruptions occurred in two separate incidents. On Sunday, a 135-mile cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden’s Gotland island was severed, causing a major internet outage, according to telecom provider Telia Lietuva. Just a day later, a 746-mile cable linking Finland and Germany’s Rostock port was damaged, as reported by Finnish telecom company Cinia. Authorities are investigating the abrupt breakdown of both systems, with suspicion falling on deliberate acts.
German Defence Minister Speaks Out
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the likelihood of foul play. “No one believes these cables were accidentally damaged,” he said on Tuesday. “We must assume, even without definitive proof, that this is sabotage.” Pistorius dismissed suggestions of accidental damage by ship anchors as implausible.
Regional Security in the Spotlight
The incidents have heightened concerns across Europe, with Finnish and German foreign ministers expressing their “deep concern” in a joint statement. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and German counterpart Annalena Baerbock highlighted the growing threats posed by hybrid warfare. “Our European security faces challenges not only from Russia’s war in Ukraine but also from malicious actors targeting critical infrastructure,” they said.
Sweden’s civil-defence minister, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, confirmed that national authorities are investigating. In Lithuania, naval surveillance in the affected areas of the Baltic Sea has been intensified.
NATO’s Warnings About Hybrid Warfare
NATO officials have long warned about vulnerabilities in Europe’s underwater infrastructure. Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre, deputy commander of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command, stated earlier this year that underwater systems, including communication cables and pipelines, are frequent targets of hybrid warfare. “We know Russia has developed tactics to disrupt the European economy by attacking critical undersea infrastructure,” he said in April.
Broader Implications for Regional Stability
These incidents echo the 2022 explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines, which similarly targeted the Baltic region. The damage highlights ongoing threats to Europe’s interconnected infrastructure, further underscoring the need for increased vigilance.
Sweden recently blocked plans for 13 offshore windfarms in the Baltic, citing security risks. Officials argued that the projects could hinder NATO operations and exacerbate vulnerabilities in the region’s defences.
Moving Forward
With investigations ongoing, European nations are ramping up efforts to protect their vital infrastructure. As security concerns escalate, cooperation between regional governments and NATO is expected to play a crucial role in safeguarding undersea systems.
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