German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced Tuesday that damage discovered to two Baltic Sea underwater data cables appears to be deliberate sabotage, highlighting growing concerns about the vulnerability of Europe’s critical infrastructure.
The damaged cables include the C-Lion1, a 1,200-kilometer (750-mile) connection linking Helsinki, Finland, to Rostock, Germany, and a separate line between Lithuania and Sweden. Both damages were detected Monday, prompting immediate investigation from multiple European nations.
“No one believes these cables were severed by mistake,” Pistorius declared during a regular European Union defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels. He dismissed suggestions that anchor damage might have caused the disruptions, emphasizing that the incident bears hallmarks of intentional interference.
The German and Finnish foreign ministries issued a joint statement Monday evening expressing concern that the damage occurs amid broader threats to European security, including “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine” and various forms of hybrid warfare by “malicious actors.”
While Pistorius acknowledged the absence of concrete proof identifying those responsible, he characterized the incident as a “hybrid action” requiring heightened vigilance. The defense minister emphasized that Russia poses not only conventional military threats but also hybrid challenges, necessitating a comprehensive European defense strategy.
Both affected nations have launched investigations into the incidents, underscoring the crucial importance of protecting such critical infrastructure. The C-Lion1 cable serves as a vital data connection between Northern and Central Europe, while the Lithuania-Sweden link provides essential connectivity in the Baltic region.
AP
