Helsinki, Finland – German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has raised concerns over possible sabotage in the Baltic Sea involving two undersea cables. The 1,170km telecommunications cable between Finland and Germany was cut in the early hours of Monday, while a 218km internet link connecting Lithuania and Sweden’s Gotland Island stopped working on Sunday.

Pistorius described the incidents as potential “hybrid actions” amidst heightened tensions with Russia. The Swedish and Lithuanian Defence Ministers also expressed deep concern over the deliberate severing of the cable between their two countries and called for a response to acts of sabotage.

Amidst fears of possible sabotage, Cinia, a Finnish telecoms and cyber security firm, suggested that the damage to their cable may have been caused by an external force. Meanwhile, the Swedish Prosecution Authority has launched an investigation into the incidents, classifying them as potential acts of “sabotage.”

The impact of the damaged cables extends beyond just infrastructure, with a fifth of Lithuania’s internet capacity reportedly reduced. Despite this, consumers are not directly affected by the disruption, highlighting the wider implications of such actions.

This is not the first incident of potential sabotage in the Baltic region, with past instances involving damage to essential infrastructure. The investigation into the recent cable incidents remains ongoing, with authorities working to determine the extent of the damage and the potential culprits behind the acts.

The damage to the undersea cables in the Baltic Sea underscores the vulnerabilities in vital infrastructure and the potential for malicious actors to disrupt essential services. As investigations continue, the focus remains on securing critical connections and preventing future instances of sabotage in the region.