Rudolph Angler Two underwater fiber-optic communication cables connecting Finland and Germany were found severed on Monday, prompting an investigation by both countries. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the damage appeared intentional, calling it likely sabotage.
“No one believes these cables were accidentally cut,” Pistorius remarked during an EU defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels. He added that while the responsible party remains unidentified, the possibility of “hybrid warfare” is under consideration, hinting at Russia’s potential involvement given its history of such tactics.
In a joint statement, Germany and Finland acknowledged the incident, highlighting its occurrence against the backdrop of increased threats to European security, including Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and activities by malicious actors. Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen emphasized the need for stronger protection of critical infrastructure, noting that the suspicion of deliberate damage underscores the current era’s volatility.
The damaged cable, spanning nearly 1,200 kilometers between Helsinki and Rostock, was flagged by Finland’s state-controlled data services provider, Cinia. This incident follows another disruption in the Baltic Sea on Sunday, when an internet link between Lithuania and Sweden’s Gotland island also lost service.
These events add to a growing list of underwater infrastructure attacks, including the 2022 explosions of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which fueled speculation involving various actors such as the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia. The recent incidents have heightened concerns about the security of Europe’s critical infrastructure in an era of hybrid warfare.