Published on 28/12/2024 22:02
Reading time: 1min – video: 2min
Sabotage at sea: Russian fleet accused of cutting submarine cables
Sabotage at sea: Russian fleet accused of cutting submarine cables
(France 2)
The Baltic Sea is the scene of a confrontation between NATO and Russia. After a new sabotage of an underwater cable between Finland and Estonia, the Atlantic alliance announces that it will strengthen its presence in the region. The Russian tanker suspected of being behind the sabotage was seized by Finnish police.
In the mist of the Baltic Sea, NATO is on edge after the Eagle S, an oil tanker leaving from Saint Petersburg, was arrested by the Finnish police. He is suspected of having cut submarine electrical cables on Christmas Day and of acting on behalf of Russia. At the end of November, two submarine telecom cables were cut in the Swedish area. The suspect, a Chinese cargo ship, has since left the area.
For experts, Russia is waging hybrid warfare. “There are between 500 and 550 telecom cables at the bottom of the seas which carry the internet network. And if Russia decides to cut some of the main ones, it could cause chaos”warns Ulrich Bounat, geopolitical analyst. NATO announces strengthening its military presence in the Baltic Sea. “It’s almost 10% of maritime traffic in the European Union”underlines Cyrille Bret, researcher at the Europe Institute. The damaged submarine cable is still out of service. Finnish police have opened an investigation into aggravated sabotage.
Watch the full report in the video above
