A damaged undersea cable near Taiwan, with four severed cores, is attributed to the Cameroonian-registered cargo ship Shunxin-39, suspected to be Chinese-owned. While domestic communications remained unaffected due to backup systems, the incident is under investigation by Taiwanese authorities, who are pursuing compensation and criminal liability. This event mirrors a global pattern of undersea infrastructure disruptions, raising concerns about maritime security and prompting Taiwan to strengthen its communications infrastructure through satellite deployment. The ongoing investigation highlights the use of “grey zone” tactics and a potential broader strategy targeting Taiwan’s infrastructure.
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Following a report from Chunghwa Telecom, the Coast Guard Administration apprehended the Cameroon-registered container ship Shunxin39, suspected of damaging an undersea communication cable northeast of Yeliu. The incident, occurring Friday morning, did not disrupt domestic communications, according to Chunghwa Telecom. The vessel was subsequently escorted to port for inspection. Prosecutors will investigate the matter to determine liability and any necessary compensation.
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Finland’s discovery of kilometer-long drag marks on the Baltic seabed following damage to an undersea cable is a deeply unsettling event. The sheer scale of the marks strongly suggests an intentional act of sabotage, a conclusion many find unsurprising given the current geopolitical climate. The incident immediately raises serious questions about Russia’s involvement, considering their ongoing conflict with Ukraine and broader global democratic principles.
The suggestion that this is merely accidental damage is frankly unbelievable. The scale and nature of the damage clearly point to a deliberate action, not a simple cable failure. Some have even pointed to the absurdity of attributing the damage to such outlandish explanations as Ukrainian birds or an accidental fall from a window.… Continue reading
Following damage to the Estlink 2 power cable, potentially caused by a Russian vessel, Andriy Yermak warned of escalating Russian hybrid warfare. This could involve provocations near NATO borders, potentially utilizing Russia’s shadow fleet and even North Korean or Iranian proxies. Yermak stressed that failure to act decisively against such actions risks further escalation and emboldens Russia. Previous incidents, including damage to an underwater gas pipeline, highlight the ongoing threat.
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The Russia-linked tanker Eagle S, detained in Finland for damaging an undersea cable, was equipped with sophisticated transmitting and receiving devices, transforming it into a de facto spy ship. This equipment, unusual for a merchant vessel, monitored NATO naval activity and was offloaded in Russia for analysis. The ship’s crew, allegedly threatened, remained silent about the espionage activities. A similar setup was also found on a related tanker, Swiftsea Rider, highlighting a pattern of potentially illicit activity within a larger fleet of Russia-linked vessels.
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Finnish authorities apprehended the Cook Islands-registered oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of damaging the Estlink 2 power cable and other undersea infrastructure on Christmas Day. The vessel, part of Russia’s shadow fleet used to circumvent sanctions, was carrying oil from Russia to Egypt and its anchors were found missing, supporting suspicions of deliberate sabotage. This incident follows a pattern of similar attacks in the Baltic Sea, leading Estonian officials to deem them systematic attacks on critical infrastructure. International cooperation, including the deployment of sea drones and coordinated efforts to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet, is underway to address this escalating threat.
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Finland’s decisive seizure of a ship following the severing of an undersea cable is a bold move that has garnered significant international attention. The swift action, without prior consultation with Russia, stands in stark contrast to previous incidents where suspected Russian involvement in similar acts resulted in diplomatic efforts that ultimately yielded little consequence. This time, Finland opted for direct action, seizing the vessel and setting a potential precedent for future responses to acts of suspected sabotage.
The seizure itself rests on a crucial legal point: the act of cutting an undersea cable is considered piracy under international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).… Continue reading
Despite China’s stated commitment to cooperate with regional authorities, Sweden accuses China of refusing Swedish prosecutors’ request to board the Yi Peng 3, a ship suspected in the cutting of two Baltic Sea undersea cables. The ship, observed near the cable cuts and later anchored in the Kattegat strait, departed after a Chinese-led investigation involving other European authorities but excluding Swedish prosecutors. Sweden maintains its request for its prosecutors to conduct a preliminary investigation onboard, emphasizing the importance of a thorough and independent inquiry. While diplomatic talks continue, the Swedish prosecutor awaits the findings of the Chinese investigation.
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New evidence suggests the Chinese cargo ship *Yi Peng 3*, currently under investigation for damaging Baltic Sea undersea cables on November 17th, may have attempted a similar act ten days prior near Læsø. Analysis of AIS data and underwater footage reveals a suspicious maneuver near subsea cables on November 7th, involving a speed reduction and brief stop. While the Chinese Embassy stated its willingness to cooperate in the investigation, Danish authorities have increased surveillance in their waters in response to this concerning activity. The damaged cables, Arelion and C-Lion1, disrupted communications between several European countries.
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Following the severing of undersea fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea, a Chinese commercial vessel, the Yi Peng 3, is under investigation for potentially causing the damage by dragging its anchor across the seabed. While the ship’s owner is cooperating, the Kremlin denies involvement, and China’s foreign ministry rejects responsibility. Analysis suggests accidental dragging is unlikely given the conditions, and evidence points to damage consistent with the cable cuts. However, definitively proving intentional sabotage remains challenging.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood