BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated on Tuesday that officials must assume that the recent damage to two undersea data cables in the Baltic Sea, one of which terminates in Germany, was likely caused by sabotage, despite the absence of concrete evidence at this time.
The damage, detected on Monday, affected the C-Lion1 cable, which stretches approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) from Helsinki, Finland, to Rostock, Germany. A second cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden also sustained damage.
Speaking at a meeting of European Union defense ministers in Brussels, Pistorius emphasized that the threat posed by Russia extends beyond military actions to include hybrid threats. He described the damage to the cables as “a very clear sign that something is afoot,” adding, “No one believes these cables were severed by mistake, and I also don’t want to believe versions that it was anchors that by chance caused damage to these cables.”
Pistorius characterized the incident as a hybrid action, suggesting that it reflects broader security concerns in Europe, particularly in light of ongoing tensions related to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. He noted that while the specific perpetrators remain unknown, the situation warrants serious consideration of sabotage.
The foreign ministries of Finland and Germany had previously expressed similar concerns, stating that the damage raised suspicions of foul play. In a joint statement, they highlighted that European security is currently threatened not only by Russia’s military actions but also by hybrid warfare tactics employed by malicious actors. They underscored the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure and announced that investigations into the incident are underway.
As Europe grapples with the implications of this incident, the focus remains on ensuring the security of vital communication networks in a time of heightened geopolitical tensions.
Related Topics:
