Sweden: Siltanews – News Desk
Sweden has called on the Chinese cargo vessel Yi Peng 3 to return to its waters as part of a probe into the recent severing of two critical underwater fiber optic cables.
These cables, vital for communication between Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, and Finland, were damaged within a 24-hour window, raising suspicions of sabotage. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has refrained from assigning blame, stating the priority is to ‘seek clarity on what has happened.
The 225-metre-long ship, now stationed in international waters near Denmark, became a focal point of the investigation due to its presence in the affected areas during the incidents. Sweden’s investigation into the suspected sabotage has been mirrored by Germany and Finland, who have launched their own probes. Officials are concerned about the implications for NATO countries’ critical infrastructure.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius underscored these concerns, saying, “No one believes these cables were severed by mistake.” Former navy commander Vermund Sogaard-Sorensen added skepticism, pointing out that “two incidents within 24 hours can hardly be labelled as accidental.”
This is not the first time Baltic infrastructure has faced potential sabotage. Last year, a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was damaged, and Chinese vessels were implicated in dragging anchors across critical communication cables.
While Moscow has been accused of previous sabotage attempts, Russia has denied any involvement in such cases.
With investigations underway in multiple nations, the Yi Peng 3 may hold crucial evidence in uncovering the truth behind the Baltic Sea cable damage. NATO countries are increasingly alert to the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure, underscoring the urgency of enhanced maritime monitoring and international cooperation.