Helsinki, Finland – European officials are investigating the mysterious cutting of two undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea, sparking concerns of possible sabotage. The cables, the BCS East-West connecting Lithuania and Sweden and the C-Lion1 linking Finland and Germany, were both disrupted within a short timeframe, raising suspicions of foul play.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed skepticism about the idea that the cables were accidentally damaged, hinting at a deliberate act. This sentiment was echoed by foreign ministers from Finland and Germany, who mentioned the possibility of “hybrid warfare” in their statement, pointing fingers at potential Russian involvement.

The disruption of the cables comes amid increasing tensions in the region, with the US previously warning about the risk of Russian sabotage targeting critical infrastructure. While some officials suspect a deliberate act, others believe it might have been caused by an accidental anchor drag from a passing vessel. Nonetheless, law enforcement agencies in Sweden and Finland are treating the incident as deliberate sabotage.

Vessel tracking data indicates that a Chinese-flagged ship, the Yi Peng 3, crossed both cables around the time of the disruptions. The vessel, which had been sailing from a Russian port, has now anchored in international waters off the coasts of Denmark and Sweden. While some US and Western intelligence officials suspect the involvement of the Yi Peng 3 in the incident, no concrete evidence linking the ship to the sabotage has been found.

As investigations continue, questions linger about the motives behind the cutting of the undersea cables. While some point fingers at Russia, others caution against jumping to conclusions without solid evidence. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of undersea infrastructure and the potential risks they face in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.