Russia under suspicion
Damaged cables: NATO takes action in the Baltic Sea
12/27/2024 – 12:44 p.mReading time: 1 Min.
Because of the suspected sabotage of submarine cables, NATO is increasing its military presence in the Baltic Sea. Investigations indicate damage caused by a Russian ship.
After another underwater cable was damaged, NATO wants to increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Friday in the online service X that he spoke to Finnish President Alexander Stubb about the ongoing investigation into possible sabotage of submarine cables Strengthen the Baltic Sea.”
A fault was detected on the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day – Finnish authorities speak of “sabotage”. Investigators suspect that the anchor of an oil tanker that took off from a Russian port damaged the cable running along the bottom of the Baltic Sea. A month ago, two important telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea were damaged just a few hours apart.
In light of the new incident, Estonia sent a naval patrol to the region to protect additional underwater communications. This is intended to send the message “that we are ready to defend the connections between Estonia and Finland – including with military means,” explained Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur. Estonia is in contact with both Finland and NATO on this matter.