Helsinki: Finnish authorities are investigating a cargo ship suspected of damaging an undersea telecommunications cable linking Finland and Estonia in the Baltic Sea, raising fresh concerns over the security of critical infrastructure in the region.
The cable was found damaged in the Gulf of Finland on December 31, prompting an immediate response from Finnish officials. President of Finland confirmed that a vessel sailing from Russia is suspected to be involved in the incident. The ship was intercepted within Finland’s exclusive economic zone and later escorted to port for further inspection.
According to investigators, preliminary evidence suggests the vessel may have dragged its anchor along the seabed, causing damage to the cable. Finnish police have launched a criminal investigation into aggravated damage and possible interference with communications infrastructure. Crew members onboard the ship are being questioned as part of the probe.
The damaged cable connects Finland with Estonia and is used for telecommunications and data traffic. Authorities said the disruption did not lead to major outages, as traffic was rerouted through backup systems. Repair work is being planned, though officials said it could take time due to winter conditions in the Baltic Sea.
The incident comes amid heightened alert in the region following a series of recent disruptions to undersea cables and pipelines. Security officials have warned that such infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable and requires closer monitoring. NATO countries bordering the Baltic Sea have stepped up surveillance in response to what they describe as growing hybrid threats.
Finnish authorities stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that it is too early to determine whether the damage was accidental or deliberate. They said cooperation is continuing with international partners and cable operators to fully assess the extent of the damage and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Baltic Sea is a key route for energy and data connections between northern European countries, making the protection of undersea infrastructure a growing priority for governments across the region.