The investigation into the cable break in the Baltic Sea has found no evidence that Russia was behind the incident, according to the Wall Street Journal. This raises many questions about the security of undersea infrastructure in the area, which is already tense due to strategic competition between NATO and Moscow.
The cable break occurred on December 25, 2024, when an undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia was severely damaged.
Previously, in October 2023, the Balticconnector gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea and two different cables connecting Estonia with Finland and Sweden were also severed.
The incidents have raised concerns about threats to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
Immediately after the latest cable break, NATO promptly deployed the Baltic sentry campaign, using warships and patrol aircraft to protect the underground cable system. However, according to Belgian Navy Commander Erik Kockx, a mission behind, it is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of this presence.
Although Russia has been suspected, NATO admits there is no evidence that Moscow is involved in the incident. "There is no evidence that Russia has ordered or carried out this action," the Wall Street Journal quoted a NATO official as saying.
Meanwhile, some experts do not rule out the possibility of this being an act of deliberate sabotage by a third party or an accident caused by accidental maritime activities. However, the continuous occurrence of similar incidents is raising questions about the safety of important underground cables in this area.
Seaborne cables are not only important for energy security but also the artery of the global telecommunications system. Attacks or disruptions to cable systems can have major economic and defense consequences.
In the context of escalating geopolitical tensions, analysts believe that NATO can increase the protection of underground cables, while enhancing the ability to detect potential threats early. However, to date, the identity of the person behind the cable break in the Baltic Sea remains an unsolved mystery.
