New Delhi
Amidst the increasing tension between Russia and European countries, there has been news of internet cable being cut inside the Baltic Sea, which has increased the commotion in the European countries. A cable between Lithuania and Sweden was cut on Sunday, according to telecommunications company Telia Lithuania. At the same time, Finnish telecommunications company Sinia said that one of its cables connecting Finland and Germany was also disrupted on Monday. It is noteworthy that as part of the Atlantic Ocean, the Baltic Sea is bordered by European countries and Russia. Earlier, America had warned a few days ago that Russia could target Europe’s important maritime infrastructure.
The country has launched a preliminary investigation into alleged sabotage on the cut cables, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing Swedish sources. Finland is also strict regarding the matter and investigation has been started. Lithuanian media reported that the cable that was disrupted handled about a third of Lithuania’s internet capacity. He said traffic has resumed after the disruption.
Finland, Germany accused
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Finland and Germany have expressed deep concern over the cutting of the cable between their countries and have expressed the possibility of this incident being part of a hybrid war. “The fact that such an incident occurred raises suspicions of intentional harm,” the statement said. This says a lot about the instability of our times. Currently investigation is going on. Russia could launch an aggressive war against Europe in retaliation for Ukraine’s support. There is also a threat of hybrid war against us.”
America’s stance
U.S. officials familiar with the initial investigation told CNN on Tuesday there were no signs so far of such activity nor deliberate damage to seafloor infrastructure. According to US investigating officials, this was probably caused by an anchor pulled from a passing ship. If reports are to be believed, Russia has been showing interest in undersea cables in recent months. Russia is also patrolling closer to critical maritime infrastructure off its coasts. America believes that Russia is strengthening its secret maritime unit.
hybrid warfare
European security officials and experts have been warning for months that Russia is waging a hybrid war against Europe. Rod Thornton, a senior professor of defense studies at King’s College London, said Russia is using such tactics as an alternative to a full-scale war with NATO that could prove dangerous for Russia. Russia is trying to provoke NATO into challenging its principle that an attack against one member state is an attack against the entire alliance. Thornton said that this attack has happened at a time when Russia is trying to increase pressure on Ukraine and Western countries.
