NATO has been forced to expand its patrols of the Baltic Sea after vital under sea cables were cut in a suspected sabotage.
The alliance’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte has announced a ramp-up in Baltic Sea patrols following Finland’s interception of an oil tanker, the Eagle S, suspected of severing the undersea cables.
Finnish and EU officials have linked the vessel to Russia‘s “shadow fleet,” implicated in covert operations to circumvent sanctions.
The incident, which saw power and internet disruptions between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day, coincides with the Eagle S’s passage through the Gulf of Finland, as per vessel-tracking data.
This latest episode of cable damage adds to a series of similar disruptions or suspected sabotage acts in the strategically important Baltic Sea, where NATO has a significant presence due to Russian interests.
Undersea cables are vital for global communication, carrying approximately 99 percent of the world’s data, according to NATO.
Finnish authorities detained the Eagle S on Thursday, with an official from the maritime border agency confirming the action during a press briefing.
The Eagle S is believed to be part of Russia‘s clandestine maritime operations, using ships registered abroad to secretly ship oil from Russian ports, evading international sanctions.
Rutte, in a recent message on social media platform X, declared that “NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea”.
AP has revealed that NATO headquarters, when asked for more details about Rutte’s pledge, responded only by stating that the alliance “remains vigilant and is working to provide further support, including by enhancing our military presence” in the region.
Following the announcement of undersea cable damage, Robin Lardot, director of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, told reporters
He said: “From our side we are investigating grave sabotage…According to our understanding, an anchor of the vessel that is under investigation has caused the damage.”
On Thursday, Rutte took to X to share that he had spoken with Estonian Prime Minster Kristen Michal “about reported possible sabotage of Baltic Sea cables“.
“NATO stands in solidarity with Allies and condemns any attacks on critical infrastructure,” continued Rutte’s message, adding that the alliance is closely following investigations by Estonia and Finland, “and we stand ready to provide further support”.
Rutte then followed up on Friday by posting on X that he had been in communication with Finnish President Alexander Stubb “about the ongoing Finnish-led investigation into possible sabotage of undersea cables“.
The inquiry by Finnish authorities into the recent undersea cable incident remains ongoing, with no deadline given for its completion.