Sounds of Hybrid Warfare: Two Submarine Cables Cut in the Baltic Sea

Tel Aviv company Telia announced that two submarine cables were cut in the Baltic Sea. It was determined that the issue was not caused by equipment malfunction, but there was physical damage to the fiber optic cable. In the same region, the C-Lion cable connecting Finland and Germany also experienced an interruption. Operated by Cinia, this cable is the only direct connection between Finland and Central Europe. With a length of approximately 1,200 kilometers, this cable also follows a route parallel to important gas pipelines and energy lines. The foreign ministers of Finland and Germany issued a joint statement regarding the disruptions, highlighting the possibility of hybrid warfare. 'The possibility of deliberate sabotage in such an event shows how fragile the current era is,' they stated. The United States has noted an increase in military activity by Russia around submarine cables and the heightened likelihood of sabotage operations targeting such critical infrastructure. In April 2023, a study by state broadcasters in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland revealed that Russia had been engaged in fleet activities with spy ships in the region. Following the disruptions, Arelion, the operator of the cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden, announced its coordination with Swedish military and civilian authorities. A repair ship has been dispatched to the area for the C-Lion cable, but the process may take several weeks depending on weather conditions. Lithuanian State Media reported that the Lithuania-Sweden cable carries approximately one-third of Lithuania's internet capacity and that capacity has been restored after the interruption.