European officials are looking into possible sabotage after two submarine internet cables in the Baltic Sea were disrupted. The incidents occurred just weeks after the United States warned of potential threats to critical undersea infrastructure.
A cable between Lithuania and Sweden was cut on Sunday, as reported by Telia Lithuania, the telecommunications company responsible for the link. Additionally, a cable connecting Finland and Germany, operated by the Finnish company Cinia, was disrupted on Monday.
While investigations are ongoing to determine the exact causes of the disruptions, Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed belief that sabotage was likely involved. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the severed cables were not accidentally damaged.
Foreign ministers of Finland and Germany issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the incidents and suggesting a possible connection to 'hybrid warfare.' They highlighted the need for a thorough investigation into the matter.
European security officials have been warning about Russia's alleged hybrid war tactics against the West, citing previous incidents such as arson attacks, hackings, and explosions in various European cities. The recent cable disruptions add to growing concerns about potential threats to European security.
While the extent of the disruption caused by the damaged cables remains unclear, providers typically have backup routes to prevent service outages. Cinia confirmed that services through the affected cable were down but assured that Finland's international connections were rerouted through alternative links.
Repair efforts are underway, with a vessel dispatched to address the issues. However, the timeline for repairs is uncertain, with submarine cable repairs typically taking between five and 15 days.
Despite the challenges posed by the disruptions, both Telia Lithuania and Cinia have been working to restore internet traffic and minimize the impact on users.
