**ABOARD A FRENCH NAVY FLIGHT OVER THE BALTIC SEA** — A French Navy surveillance plane equipped with high-tech cameras has been patrolling the Baltic Sea as part of a new NATO mission, “Baltic Sentry.” Recently, the long-range Atlantique 2 aircraft focused on various targets for over five hours, surveying areas from Germany in the west to Estonia in the northeast, which borders Russia.
The increased military presence aims to safeguard underwater energy and data cables, prompted by a series of incidents that have damaged these vital infrastructures. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated, “We will do everything in our power to make sure that we fight back,” emphasizing the alliance’s commitment to protecting the economic interests of Baltic nations.
**What’s under the Baltic?** Under the Baltic Sea, essential power and communications cables, as well as gas pipelines, connect the nine surrounding countries. Examples include the 94-mile Balticconnector pipeline that links Finland and Estonia, the high-voltage Baltic Cable between Sweden and Germany, and the 729-mile C-Lion1 telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Germany.
**Why are cables important?** These undersea infrastructures sustain economies, maintain warmth in homes, and connect billions of people globally. TeleGeography reports that over 807,800 miles of fiber optic cables traverse the oceans, handling 97% of the world’s communications, including trillions of dollars in transactions daily. Recent damages have raised alarms, with Rutte mentioning damage to several cables connecting Lithuania, Sweden, Germany, and Finland within two months.
**What’s causing alarm?** Since October 2023, at least 11 Baltic cables have suffered damage, including a recent rupture of a fiber optic cable linking Latvia and Sweden. Although subsea cable damage is common, the frequency of incidents heightens concerns regarding intentional sabotage, particularly from Russia amidst ongoing hybrid warfare tactics aimed at destabilizing nations supporting Ukraine.
Finnish police are investigating the Eagle S, an oil tanker suspected of having damaged three cables on December 25, 2023. Investigators allege the tanker, part of a “shadow fleet” for evading sanctions, left a 62-mile-long anchor trail on the seabed. The tanker was seized shortly after departing a Russian port.
**Intelligence agencies’ doubts** — Some Western intelligence officials have suggested that the recent damage appears accidental, likely due to poorly maintained ships. They reported indications of this theory, highlighting that Russian cables were also severed, countering claims of sabotage. Investigators noted the presence of Russian intelligence vessels at rupture sites.
**Cable operators advise caution** — The European Subsea Cables Association indicated that subsea cables are damaged on average every three days globally. In northern European waters, common causes are commercial fishing or ship anchors.
Regarding the latest rupture, authorities detained a Maltese-flagged ship believed to be involved. Navibulgar, the Bulgarian company owning the vessel, claimed that any damage to the cable was unintentional due to severe weather conditions.
**NATO’s ‘Baltic Sentry’ mission** involves deploying warships, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval drones for enhanced surveillance and deterrence. The French Navy surveillance flight’s crew actively monitored ships, focusing on identifying any suspicious activities, such as vessels moving unusually slow or anchoring in inappropriate locations.
This report includes contributions from journalists across London, Washington, and Sofia, Bulgaria.
