Recent incidents have highlighted the vulnerability of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. Two key telecommunications cables, one connecting Finland to Germany and the other linking Sweden to Lithuania, suffered damage in mid-November. Both cables have now been repaired, with operations fully restored, as confirmed by the Finnish network operator, Cinia, and the Swedish telecom company, Arelion.
The incidents prompted joint investigations by Finnish, Swedish, and Lithuanian authorities, with support from Eurojust, the European Union's agency for judicial cooperation. Initial suspicions of sabotage have arisen, particularly around a Chinese vessel, the Yi Peng, which was near the cables at the time of the damage. The ship has been under surveillance by the Swedish and Danish coast guards since November 19.
Amid these suspicions, Sweden has sought China's cooperation in the investigation. China has expressed willingness to collaborate, as stated by Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Diplomatic communication between the two nations remains active.
The incidents come amid broader regional security concerns and international geopolitical tensions. The European Union is considering further sanctions against Russia, targeting its "shadow fleet" of oil tankers in the Baltic, while also scrutinizing Chinese companies involved in drone manufacturing for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. These developments underscore ongoing challenges in maintaining secure and stable communication networks in strategically sensitive areas like the Baltic Sea.
