Two undersea data cables cut in the Baltic, European authorities suspect sabotage

The Chinese ship, the bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 is anchored and being monitored by a Danish naval patrol vessel (unseen) in the sea of Kattegat, near the City og Granaa in Jutland, Denmark, on November 20, 2024. Denmark's navy said on November 20, 2024 it was shadowing a Chinese cargo vessel in the Baltic Sea, a day after Finland and Sweden opened investigations into suspected sabotage of two severed undersea telecoms cables. "The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3," the military wrote in an email to AFP, adding that it would make no further comment for the time-being. (Photo by Mikkel Berg Pedersen / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images).

Authorities in Europe are investigating suspected sabotage to two undersea fiber optic cables, one connecting Finland and Germany and the other Sweden and Lithuania, and are monitoring a Chinese cargo ship that may have been involved.

"We are deeply concerned about the severed undersea cable connecting Finland and Germany in the Baltic Sea," the foreign ministers of Finland and Germany said in a joint statement issued earlier this week, after the damage was discovered. "The fact that such an incident immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage speaks volumes about the volatility of our times. A thorough investigation is underway.