U.S. allies in Europe are investigating what German officials suspect is sabotage after two critical undersea cables in the Baltic Sea were severed, raising concerns about hybrid warfare amid heightened tensions with Russia.
What Happened
- Finland-Germany Cable (C-Lion1): A 1,170km (730-mile) communications cable was cut early Monday.
- Lithuania-Sweden Internet Link: A 218km internet cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden’s Gotland Island failed on Sunday.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the damage appears deliberate. “Nobody believes these cables were cut accidentally,” he remarked, describing the incidents as possible “hybrid actions.”
Ongoing Investigations
Finland and Sweden have launched investigations into what they describe as likely sabotage:
- Finnish cybersecurity firm Cinia stated the damage to its cable near Sweden’s Öland Island was caused by “an outside force.”
- Sweden’s Prosecution Authority confirmed a preliminary sabotage investigation but has not shared further details.
- Lithuania reported that about 20% of its internet capacity was impacted, though consumer services remain largely unaffected.
Broader Context
The incidents follow a series of high-profile attacks on Baltic infrastructure since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. While no culprit has been identified in this case, experts note that tensions with Moscow have increased fears of hybrid warfare targeting Europe’s critical infrastructure.
Response and Repairs
Repair efforts for the affected cables are expected to take between 5 and 15 days, with both Finland and Germany expressing deep concern about the broader threat to Europe’s security.
The incidents add to a growing list of unexplained infrastructure disruptions in the Baltic region, highlighting the vulnerability of undersea cables in a time of geopolitical tension.