2024-11-26 11:07:00
Sweden requested on Tuesday 26 November that the Chinese merchant ship anchored off its coast return to its territorial waters to contribute to the investigation into the rupture of underwater cables, considered a possible act of sabotage.
“We have been in contact with the ship and with China and have made it known that we want the boat to head towards Swedish territorial waters”Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at a press conference, specifying that the objective is not the launch«accusation». “Sweden’s only wish is for the ship to reach Swedish territorial waters so we can collaborate more easily to understand what happened”he assured.
On November 17 and 18, sections of two telecommunications cables were cut, both located in Swedish waters of the Baltic Sea. THE Yi-Peng-3, According to ship tracking sites, a bulk carrier built in 2001 entered the area of the cables at the time they were severed, although there is no indication that it was involved in the incidents.
The fact that the ship has remained anchored since last Tuesday in the narrow Kattegat Strait between Sweden and Denmark has raised questions. Due to tensions around the Baltic Sea since the outbreak of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several leaders have raised the possibility of a “hybrid attack”in reference to the actions carried out by Moscow to damage them.
Suspicions of sabotage were rekindled
The breakage of these two cables has reignited suspicions of sabotage in Europe, particularly against Moscow. “This is ridiculous given the lack of response to Ukraine’s sabotage activities in the Baltic Sea”mocked Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, referring to the
The first to raise the hypothesis of sabotage was the German Defense Minister: “No one believes these cables were cut by accident”Boris Pistorius said on November 19.
Two legal investigations are underway, one of which is being conducted by the Swedish police for “sabotage” and concerns the two cable damages that occurred in Swedish waters. The Arelion telecommunications cable, which connects the Swedish island of Gotland to Lithuania, was damaged on the morning of Sunday 17th. On Monday morning, a second submarine cable, the C-Lion1, which connects Finland to Germany, broke.
At the same time, Finland opened an investigation for “aggravated criminal damage” and “aggravated communications interference” regarding the damage to the German-Finnish cable.
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“Situations of this type must be evaluated taking into account the growing threat posed by Russia in our neighborhood”the Swedish and Lithuanian defense ministers declared for their part. According to Finnish and Swedish media, the Yi-Peng-3which left the Baltic Sea early Tuesday morning, followed by the Danish navy, after passing through a Russian port, may have played a role in the two accidents.
How can nations improve their maritime security in response to rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Baltic Sea?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and International Maritime Security Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into a pressing issue in the Baltic Sea involving the Chinese bulk carrier “Yi-Peng-3” and the recent severing of two crucial underwater telecommunications cables. With us is Dr. Emma Lindström, a leading expert in maritime security. Dr. Lindström, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Emma Lindström: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s jump right in. Recent reports indicate that Sweden has requested the “Yi-Peng-3” to return to its territorial waters to assist with an investigation into the damaged cables. Could you explain why this ship is a focus of attention?
Dr. Lindström: Absolutely. The “Yi-Peng-3” was in proximity to the cables when they were severed, leading to suspicions given the heightened security and geopolitical tensions in the region. Sweden is acting to ensure it can gather all relevant information quickly, which is why they’re requesting the ship’s cooperation.
Editor: It’s interesting to note that Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized that the request does not serve as an accusation. Why is the distinction significant in this context?
Dr. Lindström: That’s a crucial distinction. By stating that there’s no accusation against the ship, the Prime Minister is trying to mitigate any diplomatic fallout with China and avoid escalating tensions. Given the ongoing geopolitical climate in Europe, especially after the invasion of Ukraine, this approach prioritizes information gathering over assigning blame, which can be vital for maintaining international relations.
Editor: This incident is being considered against a backdrop of potential “hybrid attacks.” Can you elaborate on what this entails?
Dr. Lindström: Certainly. Hybrid warfare typically combines conventional military tactics with subversive actions like sabotage and misinformation. The severing of these cables raises alarms because of the historical context—similar events have been linked to state-sponsored activities. The Baltic Sea has seen an increase in such activities, particularly involving Russia, which has led to heightened vigilance from neighboring countries.
Editor: There’s been a lot of speculation about sabotage, especially after comments from the German Defense Minister. How do we assess the legitimacy of these claims?
Dr. Lindström: Speculation is fueled by both regional tensions and the method of the cable damages. Typically, such incidents in strategic locations like the Baltic Sea don’t occur without intent. However, it’s essential to gather evidence before jumping to conclusions. Investigative agencies in Sweden and Finland are conducting thorough probes to determine the cause, and their findings will be critical in framing this incident correctly.
Editor: Given that two legal investigations are underway in Sweden and Finland, what kind of challenges might they face?
Dr. Lindström: Investigations of this nature can be complex, especially when involving international waters and multiple jurisdictions. There may be difficulties in gathering evidence, navigating diplomatic relations, and identifying responsible parties. Moreover, if sabotage is confirmed, it could have broader implications, potentially leading to increased militarization or security measures in the Baltic region.
Editor: what are the potential long-term implications of this event for maritime security in Europe?
Dr. Lindström: If these incidents are confirmed to be acts of sabotage, it could fundamentally alter how Europe approaches maritime security. We might see increased collaboration among nations to safeguard critical infrastructure. It may also lead to enhanced surveillance of maritime activities and a reevaluation of maritime law to include clearer parameters for addressing such acts.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lindström, for providing such insightful analysis. It’s clear that this incident will have significant implications for international relations and maritime security going forward.
Dr. Lindström: Thank you for having me! It’s an important topic, and I look forward to seeing how it develops.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in to this discussion. We’ll continue to monitor this evolving story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
