The European Union has committed to enhancing the security of underwater cables in the Baltic Sea following suspected sabotage incidents involving infrastructure.
In recent months, several undersea telecom and power cables in the Baltic Sea have sustained damage, with various observers pointing fingers at Moscow for allegedly executing a hybrid warfare strategy against Western nations providing support to Ukraine.
Prior to the EU’s announcement, Sweden revealed it was looking into suspected damage to an underwater cable located east of the Baltic island of Gotland.
The European Commission announced plans to tighten security requirements for underwater cables while prioritizing funding for the establishment of new and advanced cables.
Security experts have indicated that Russia possesses a “shadow fleet” comprising hundreds of vessels that are maneuvering to evade Western sanctions—some of which have been implicated in cable damage.
“Today, we are implementing measures to safeguard cables, quickly detect and anticipate threats, and expedite repairs for any damage,” stated Kaja Kallas, the top EU diplomat.
“Those found responsible for sabotage should face appropriate consequences, including sanctions. Additionally, potential perpetrators must be deterred,” Ms. Kallas added in her statement.
Brussels has indicated that detailed actions will be initiated later this year and into next year.
The bloc plans to collaborate with private companies to ensure quicker reporting of incidents, with an EU official noting that approximately 60% of fibre optic cables are under private control.
Although the EU refrained from naming Russia in its announcement, tensions between Moscow and the West have escalated following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The first significant incident occurred in September 2022, when a series of underwater explosions damaged the Nord Stream pipelines that transported Russian gas to Europe.
Further incidents have occurred in 2023 and 2024, including one on December 25 of last year, when the Estlink 2 electricity cable and four telecom cables connecting Finland and Estonia were compromised.
Earlier this week, the Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee urged Ireland to boost its defense spending to safeguard undersea cables.
US Senator Jim Risch, who leads the influential committee responsible for US foreign policy legislation, remarked that Ireland’s “strategic position” entails “significant responsibility.”
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