Undersea Cable Security

Poland Accuses Russia of Suspicious Baltic Sea Maneuvers Near Swedish Cable

Polish military forces responded to a sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” ship exhibiting suspicious behavior near a crucial Poland-Sweden power cable. The ship, identified as the Antigua-flagged tanker *Sun*, was forced away by Polish naval and air patrols, ultimately returning to a Russian port. This incident, highlighting increased security concerns in the Baltic Sea following similar attacks on infrastructure, prompted assurances of a firm response from Poland and NATO to any further threats. The power cable remains operational, transmitting over 600 megawatts to Sweden at the time of the incident.

Read More

Russia Used Chinese Ship to Sabotage Baltic Cables: WSJ

A Chinese cargo ship, the Yi Peng 3, is suspected of damaging a crucial undersea telecommunications cable in the Baltic Sea on November 18, 2024, an act allegedly directed by Russian intelligence. The ship, captained by Russian citizen Alexander Stechentsev, was subsequently detained by Danish authorities. This incident, alongside approximately 150 other reported Russian attacks on NATO countries since the start of the Ukraine war, highlights Russia’s escalating hybrid warfare tactics. NATO faces challenges in responding publicly, balancing the need for investigation with concerns about escalating public alarm.

Read More