Cord-Cutting

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Two undersea data cables in the Baltic Sea were severed in separate incidents earlier this week, sparking suspicions of Russian sabotage, with a Chinese-registered vessel also under investigation after being tracked near the damage sites, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The first incident involved a 135-mile cable connecting Sweden’s Gotland Island to Lithuania, which was cut Sunday morning. The second involved a 730-mile cable (C-Lion 1) linking Helsinki, Finland, to Rostock, Germany, being damaged the following night.

Swedish, Finnish and Lithuanian authorities have launched a preliminary investigation, concluding the damage is likely a result of human interference. Investigators suggested a deliberate act of sabotage, noting that the cables intersect in Sweden’s economic zone.

Further complicating matters, the Yi Peng 3, a Chinese-registered bulk carrier, was tracked near the cables at the time of the incidents, according to Newsweek. The vessel was en route from Russia to Egypt but was apprehended by the Danish Navy and is now under investigation.

While the incidents caused minor disruptions, observers warned that repeated sabotage of undersea cables could disrupt global Internet traffic, compromise financial markets and strain NATO’s ability to coordinate defenses in real time.

Amid the ongoing probe, Western officials have pointed to Russia’s history of hybrid operations: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the incidents as “sabotage,” while Finnish Foreign Minister Antti Häkkänen cited Russia’s “capability and willingness” to target Europe’s infrastructure, Politico noted.

Kremlin officials denied Moscow’s involvement, calling the accusations “absurd.”

Past incidents, such as the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions in September 2022, have been attributed to Russia’s strategy of destabilizing NATO and European Union countries. Even so, investigations have linked Ukrainians to the sabotage, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Regardless, analysts suggested that the weekend disruptions highlight the escalating strategic importance of the Baltic Sea, often referred to as the “NATO Lake” – particularly after Finland and Sweden joined NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

They noted that Moscow’s objective is to sow fear, tie up Western resources, and weaken NATO’s unity by stoking political divisions over aid to Ukraine.

In response, NATO and the EU officials have pledged to enhance protections for critical infrastructure.