By Smartencyclopedia Newsdesk

Berlin, Germany – German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has suggested sabotage as the likely cause behind damage to two critical undersea communication cables in the Baltic Sea, escalating concerns of hybrid warfare amid heightened tensions with Russia.

A telecommunications cable spanning 1,170 kilometers between Finland and Germany was severed in the early hours of Monday, while a separate 218-kilometer internet link between Lithuania and Sweden’s Gotland Island was disrupted on Sunday. Both incidents have triggered investigations by multiple countries, with Finland, Sweden, and Germany describing the events as alarming.

Sabotage Suspicions Rise

Pistorius stated unequivocally that “nobody believes that these cables were cut accidentally,” pointing to the likelihood of deliberate interference. Finnish telecommunications firm Cinia, which manages the severed Finland-Germany cable, echoed these concerns, stating that such breaks “don’t happen in these waters without an outside impact.”

While investigations are still in their early stages, Swedish prosecutors have opened a probe into suspected sabotage, and Finland is conducting its own police inquiry. Swedish civil defense minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin underscored the urgency of determining what happened, calling the incidents “absolutely central” to regional security.

The severed cables intersect within the Baltic, though authorities believe the damage occurred in separate locations. Arelion, the operator of the Lithuania-Sweden link, has not disclosed the exact site of the disruption, estimating repairs could take several weeks.

Wider Security Implications

The incidents come at a time of strained relations with Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Germany and Finland have voiced concerns about the broader risks posed by Russia’s aggression and the potential for hybrid attacks targeting Europe’s critical infrastructure.

This is not the first time the Baltic region has faced such threats. The destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022 remains under investigation, with theories ranging from state-sponsored sabotage by Russia, Ukraine, or the U.S. to accidental causes. In another incident in October 2023, a Chinese container ship was found responsible for damaging a Finland-Estonia gas pipeline with a dragged anchor.

Samuli Bergstrom, a Finnish government cybersecurity expert, noted that the disruption to the Finland-Germany cable has not significantly impacted internet traffic due to alternative routes. However, the Lithuania-Sweden severance has reduced Lithuania’s internet capacity by 20%, though consumer services remain unaffected.

Heightened Tensions in the Baltic

The Baltic Sea, a critical corridor for trade, energy, and communication, has become a focal point for geopolitical tensions. Sabotaging undersea cables is seen as a form of hybrid warfare, with the potential to disrupt communications and economic stability without escalating to outright military conflict.

German and Finnish officials have called for strengthened security measures to safeguard undersea infrastructure. “Europe’s security is being challenged not just by conventional warfare but by these covert acts,” Pistorius warned.

With repairs underway and investigations intensifying, the Baltic’s vulnerable infrastructure remains a reminder of the region’s growing role in the global struggle for security and influence.