Risk of undersea cable attacks backed by Russia and China likely to rise, report warns

Submarine cables account for 99% of the world’s intercontinental data traffic. Photograph: Mint Images/Getty Images/Mint Images RF

The risk of Russia- and China-backed attacks on undersea cables carrying international internet traffic is likely to rise amid a spate of incidents in the Baltic Sea and around Taiwan, according to a report.

Submarine cables account for 99% of the world’s intercontinental data traffic and have been affected by incidents with suspected state support over the past 18 months.