Baltic Sea on High Alert Amid Sabotage Concerns
The Baltic Sea region is experiencing heightened tensions following a series of outages affecting power cables, telecom links, and gas pipelines since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In response, NATO has increased its military presence in the area, deploying frigates, aircraft, and naval drones. Investigations into these incidents reveal a mix of sabotage and accidental damage, prompting authorities to take decisive action against suspected vessels.
Recent Incidents Raise Alarm
On December 31, Finnish police seized a cargo vessel, the Fitburg, suspected of damaging an undersea telecom cable between Helsinki and Estonia. The vessel was found dragging its anchor in the Gulf of Finland and was escorted into Finnish waters for investigation. The ship’s crew, consisting of members from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, faced scrutiny, with two crew members arrested and others restricted from leaving the country as the investigation continues.
Earlier in January, another incident occurred when a fiber-optic cable linking Latvia and Sweden malfunctioned. This prompted NATO and local police to investigate the Maltese-flagged bulk vessel Vezhen, which was suspected of causing the damage. Although the shipping company claimed the incident was accidental due to adverse weather conditions, a Swedish prosecutor later ruled that the breach was not intentional, leading to the vessel’s release.
In December 2024, Finland reported the cutting of the Estlink 2 power cable and four telecom lines, leading to the seizure of the Cook Islands-registered tanker Eagle S. Authorities suspected it had caused the damage while dragging its anchor. Despite the seizure, a Finnish court dismissed the case against the ship’s captain, citing insufficient evidence of intent, and the vessel was subsequently released.
Ongoing Investigations and International Tensions
Several other incidents have raised suspicions of sabotage in the Baltic Sea. In November 2024, two undersea fiber-optic cables were severed, leading investigators to focus on the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3. Although a Swedish inquiry found no conclusive evidence of deliberate sabotage, the incident highlighted the ongoing concerns regarding maritime security in the region.
Finnish Police Carry Out Tactical Boarding of Suspected Sabotage Ship
Most recently, on October 8, 2023, the Balticconnector gas pipeline linking Finland and Estonia was damaged, with investigators attributing the incident to the Chinese container vessel NewNew Polar Bear. This vessel was also suspected of damaging telecom cables in the area just days prior. The captain of the NewNew Polar Bear is currently facing charges in Hong Kong for alleged criminal damage.
The backdrop of these incidents includes the September 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines, which have been a point of contention between Russia and Western nations. As investigations continue, the Baltic Sea remains a focal point of geopolitical tensions, with NATO’s increased military presence underscoring the urgency of ensuring maritime security in this critical region.
