By Farah Mokrani •
Published: 28 Nov 2024 • 13:54
• 2 minutes read
Sweden has called on the Chinese cargo vessel Yi Peng 3 to return to its waters as part of a probe into the recent severing of two critical underwater fibre optic cables.
These cables, vital for communication between Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, and Finland, were damaged within a 24-hour window, raising suspicions of sabotage.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has refrained from assigning blame, stating the priority is to seek clarity on what has happened.
The 225-metre-long ship, now stationed in international waters near Denmark, became a focal point of the investigation due to its presence in the affected areas during the incidents.
Investigations into Baltic cable sabotage raise fears of hybrid threats
Sweden’s investigation into the suspected sabotage has been mirrored by Germany and Finland, who have launched their own probes. Officials are concerned about the implications for NATO countries’ critical infrastructure.
Highlighted the heightened threats from hybrid warfare amid Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Stressed the importance of safeguarding European critical infrastructure.
Declared that the suspicions surrounding the incident reflect the volatility of our times.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius underscored these concerns, saying, No one believes these cables were severed by mistake.
Suspicious movements of the Yi Peng 3 spark investigation
Maritime tracking data has revealed irregular movements by the Yi Peng 3. Before the cables were damaged, the ship:
Jens Wenzel Kristoffersen, a Nordic defence analyst, deemed this behaviour unusual for a merchant ship.
Former navy commander Vermund Sogaard-Sorensen added scepticism, pointing out that “two incidents within 24 hours can hardly be labelled as accidental.”
This is not the first time Baltic infrastructure has faced potential sabotage. Last year, a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was damaged, and Chinese vessels were implicated in dragging anchors across critical communication cables.
While Moscow has been accused of previous sabotage attempts, Russia has denied any involvement in such cases.
What’s next in the Baltic sea cable investigation?
With investigations underway in multiple nations, the Yi Peng 3 may hold crucial evidence in uncovering the truth behind the Baltic Sea cable damage. NATO countries are increasingly alert to the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure, underscoring the urgency of enhanced maritime monitoring and international cooperation.
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