Two submarine cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea on Sunday and Monday. Defense Minister Pistorius speaks of sabotage. What we know - and what we don’t.
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) are concerned about the incidents in the Baltic Sea, Pistorius even speaks of “sabotage”. But what actually happened? And how endangered is the communications infrastructure in the Baltic Sea? t-online answers the most important questions.
On Monday morning, around four o’clock, the Finnish communications company Cinia discovered a defect in the C-Lion1 undersea data cable. The cable runs 1,173 kilometers between Helsinki and Rostock. As Cinia announced on Monday, C-Lion1 was severed south of the Swedish island of Öland, about 700 kilometers from Helsinki.
A second cable is also affected. It runs between Lithuania and the Swedish island of Gotland. Andrius Šemeškevičius, chief technology officer of Lithuanian telecommunications operator Telia, said the cable was cut around 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. “Our systems immediately reported that we had lost connection. Further investigation showed that the cable had been damaged,” Šemeškevičius told Lithuanian television station LRT-TV.
Since both cables were cut in Swedish territorial waters, the Swedish police are responsible for the investigation. These are being conducted because of the offense of sabotage, said Swedish public prosecutor Henrik Södermann on Monday.
On Monday evening, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and her Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen published a joint statement. In it, both politicians expressed “concern” about the incident. The fact that such an incident immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage speaks volumes about the “volatility of our times.” European security is threatened not only by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, but also “by the hybrid warfare of malicious actors,” the statement said.
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen was more reserved, refusing to make any assumptions about the possible causes. But Häkkänen also emphasized that the investigation was being carried out on the serious assumption that “an external actor” was involved. Security services from various countries are also involved. In addition, the participating countries Germany, Lithuania, Sweden and Finland are coordinating the work of their security authorities to clarify the causes of the incidents.
Lithuania has also not yet provided any information about possible reasons for the defect in the submarine cables. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Center for Crisis Management in Lithuania, told t-online that government representatives and members of the crisis center exchanged ideas with the security services and other institutions on Tuesday in order to coordinate with international allies. “We want to uncover the real reasons for the incidents as quickly as possible,” said Vitkauskas.
If it turns out that the cable damage was intentional, Lithuania will react accordingly, said the spokesman for the crisis center. “We will continue to strengthen the resilience of our critical infrastructure, identify possible instigators and perpetrators and bring them to justice,” said Vitkauskas. At this point it is too early to say clearly that this is an act of sabotage. However, Vitkauskas contradicted himself shortly afterwards by saying: “We must further strengthen the resilience of NATO and EU states to respond together to Russian hybrid warfare.”
What caused the damage to the C-Lion1 and the other undersea cable in the Baltic Sea?
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good day, everyone. We are here today to discuss the recent alarming incidents in the Baltic Sea, where two undersea cables were damaged just days ago. Joining me is Professor Elena Volkov, a leading expert in telecommunications and cybersecurity. Thank you for being here, Professor.
Professor Elena Volkov: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss this critical topic.
Interviewer: To start, can you give our audience a brief overview of what happened with the C-Lion1 and the other undersea cable?
Professor Volkov: Certainly. On Sunday and Monday, two significant undersea data cables were severed in the Baltic Sea — one being the C-Lion1, which connects Helsinki to Rostock, and the other linking Lithuania and Gotland. Both incidents occurred in Swedish territorial waters, raising immediate concerns about sabotage, as highlighted by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
Interviewer: Sabotage is a serious accusation. Why do you think there’s such a strong inclination to label these incidents as intentional acts?
Professor Volkov: The swift reaction from officials, such as Pistorius and Foreign Minister Baerbock, indicates that these incidents are part of a broader context of geopolitical tension, particularly with respect to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Undersea cables are crucial for global communications, and any harm to them suggests not just technical disruption but also possible strategic intentions from malicious actors in the region.
Interviewer: What are the implications of such damage to cable infrastructure like the C-Lion1 and the second cable?
Professor Volkov: Damaged cables can cause significant disruptions in internet connectivity, impacting everything from personal communications to critical infrastructure operations. In a globalized world, many services rely on these cables, and any damage can lead to economic ramifications. Moreover, if it is confirmed that this was a deliberate act, it raises questions about the security of other essential infrastructure in Europe.
Interviewer: The Swedish police are currently investigating these incidents, as indicated by public prosecutor Henrik Södermann. How effective do you think this investigation will be, given the complexities involved?
Professor Volkov: Investigations of this nature can be quite challenging, especially in maritime contexts. There will be a need to coordinate with various nations and agencies. The investigators will need to gather evidence from the sea, analyze traffic logs of nearby vessels, and review satellite imagery, among other things. However, given the advanced capabilities of the Swedish authorities and international cooperation, I remain cautiously optimistic about their ability to shed light on these incidents.
Interviewer: Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen chose to be more reserved regarding potential causes. In your opinion, how critical is it for officials to avoid speculation in cases like these?
Professor Volkov: It’s very important. Speculation can lead to misinformation and further public anxiety, especially in such a volatile climate. Official communications should focus on what is known and the steps being taken. This careful approach not only maintains public trust but also prevents potential diplomatic tensions from escalating.
Interviewer: In the joint statement released by both Baerbock and Valtonen, they highlighted the “volatility of our times.” How do you interpret that sentiment in light of these events?
Professor Volkov: The statement underscores a significant point — that the security landscape in Europe is changing. Beyond the tangible threats posed by military actions, there’s also the realm of hybrid warfare, which utilizes cyberattacks and acts of sabotage to advance strategic aims without resorting to conventional war. The damage to these cables demonstrates how vulnerable our digital infrastructure can be and how closely intertwined actions in the physical domain and cyberspace have become.
Interviewer: what can nations do to bolster the security of such vital communication infrastructures moving forward?
Professor Volkov: Countries need to invest in robust monitoring systems for undersea cables and establish rapid response protocols for any anomalies. Additionally, fostering international collaborations to share intelligence and improve resilience against potential sabotage is vital. Cybersecurity strategies must also prioritize critical infrastructure, ensuring that operational protocols are well-coordinated across borders.
Interviewer: Thank you so much, Professor Volkov, for your insights today. It’s clear that these incidents deserve our close attention and action.
Professor Volkov: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to keep the conversation going, especially in these turbulent times.