A significant disruption in data traffic occurred when the C-Lion1 underwater cable connecting Helsinki to Rostock was damaged, followed by a similar incident affecting the Lithuania-Sweden connection. Suspicions of intentional sabotage have emerged, particularly towards Russia, amidst a backdrop of increasing hybrid warfare tactics in Northern Europe. Investigations are underway, with minimal impact on data traffic reported, while repair efforts for the damaged cables have commenced, monitored by Swedish authorities.
Unexplained Disruptions in Baltic Sea Data Cables
On a quiet Sunday morning, a significant disturbance was reported by Finnish network provider Cinia, revealing a complete halt in data traffic over the C-Lion1 underwater cable that links Helsinki to Rostock. Just hours later, alarms were triggered at the Lithuanian telecommunications provider Telia in Vilnius, indicating that the connection between Lithuania and Sweden had been abruptly cut off. The situation has raised substantial concerns.
Both cables, submerged in the depths of the Baltic Sea, experienced mysterious damage near the Swedish shoreline. These cables play a crucial role in connecting NATO states bordering Russia with the rest of the alliance, leading to heightened tensions when the incidents gained public attention on Monday.
Suspicion of Intentional Sabotage
The foreign ministers of Finland and Germany issued a joint statement that evening, expressing their “suspicion of intentional damage.” They noted that European security faces threats not only from Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine but also from “hybrid warfare by malicious actors.”
As investigations continue, the identity of the perpetrators remains uncertain. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen refrained from speculating on who might be responsible, though suspicions have emerged pointing towards Russia.
The notion of sabotage has gained traction, particularly given the rise of unusual incidents in Northern Europe since the onset of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. For instance, the Balticconnector gas pipeline suffered damage from a Chinese freighter’s anchor last autumn, while the winter saw the Kremlin orchestrating a migrant crisis at the Finnish border and freight train derailments in Sweden.
In addition to these larger events, there have been numerous smaller sabotage incidents, often with unidentified culprits. In July, Finland saw a notable increase in break-ins at critical water supply facilities. In August, an important communication cable to Norway’s Evenes Air Force base was severed, alongside frequent GPS disruptions over the Baltic Sea.
Despite seeming unrelated, many experts believe these incidents represent targeted hybrid warfare tactics employed by the Kremlin against Western nations. While the exact cause of the data cable damage remains ambiguous, evidence is accumulating. Ari-Jussi Knaapila, CEO of Cinia, stated in an interview that “Such things do not happen in these waters without external influence,” emphasizing the improbability of seismic events causing the damage.
Andrius Semeskevicius from Telia expressed skepticism about the simultaneous damage to both cables being mere coincidence, suggesting a more sinister motive. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius asserted that “No one believes that these cables were cut accidentally,” indicating a strong belief in a hybrid attack.
Sweden has initiated an investigation into the matter, reminiscent of the Nord Stream pipeline explosions from September 2022. Although investigations have hinted at potential Ukrainian involvement, some experts caution that it could just as easily be a strategic deception by the Kremlin to shift the blame.
Fortunately, the impact on data traffic has been minimal, with no significant disruptions reported in Finland or Lithuania. Both countries maintain robust connections to the global network through various cables. Cinia anticipates that repairs for the damaged line will take between five to fifteen days, involving lifting the cable from the seabed onto a vessel. Repair work has already commenced.
Cinia has reported the incident to the Finnish police, while the investigation is being spearheaded by Swedish authorities due to the damage occurring within Sweden’s exclusive economic zone. The Swedish armed forces and civil protection ministry have pledged to closely monitor the situation.