In recent months, mysterious damage to critical undersea cables in the Baltic Sea has worried European officials. These cables carry electricity, internet, and energy, connecting millions of people across Europe. Initially, many believed Russia was behind these incidents, fueling fears of sabotage as part of an ongoing wave of hybrid attacks. However, investigations by U.S. and European intelligence officials now suggest that these incidents were not deliberate acts of sabotage but rather accidents caused by poorly maintained ships and inexperienced crews.
What Happened to the Undersea Cables?
Over the last 18 months, there have been three major incidents where undersea cables and pipelines were damaged. These incidents took place in waters around northern Europe, a region where energy and communication lines run under the seabed.
One of the most recent cases involved an oil tanker, the Eagle S, which allegedly dragged its anchor across an undersea power line connecting Finland and Estonia. Finnish authorities discovered that the ship was in poor condition and operated by a crew with questionable expertise. Investigations revealed no evidence that this damage was intentional or linked to Russian interference. Instead, it seemed like an unfortunate mishap caused by an anchor being dragged accidentally.
In another incident, a container ship registered in Hong Kong, the NewnewPolar Bear, damaged a natural gas pipeline in the Gulf of Finland. Similarly, a Chinese ship called the Yi Peng 3 cut two data cables in Swedish waters. These cases added to the fear of sabotage, especially since tensions with Russia have been high due to the war in Ukraine. But investigators have found no proof of foul play, pointing instead to accidents caused by human error and poorly functioning equipment.
Why Were Russia and Sabotage Suspected?
Russia has been accused of carrying out various secretive operations in recent years, from cyberattacks to physical sabotage. European officials have been on high alert for any signs of Russian activity targeting critical infrastructure. The timing of the undersea cable damage raised eyebrows since it happened as Baltic nations were working to reduce their dependence on Russian energy.
Chinese Freighter Cuts Key Cable Near Keelung Harbor, Raising Alarm in Taiwan
Adding to the suspicion, some experts argued that the way the ships dragged their anchors—covering long distances across the seafloor—seemed unusual for an accident. Normally, if an anchor were dropped by mistake, the ship’s crew would notice immediately and stop to check. Critics claimed this behavior looked deliberate, raising questions about Russia’s possible involvement.
What the Investigations Revealed
After extensive investigations, officials from multiple countries—including the United States and Finland—have found “clear explanations” pointing to accidents. Intercepted communications and classified intelligence suggest that the damage was caused by inexperienced crews aboard aging ships, rather than any organized sabotage effort.
One key finding was the terrible condition of the ships involved in these incidents. For example, the Eagle S tanker, suspected of damaging a Finnish power line, was found to be part of a “shadow fleet” of tankers used to smuggle Russian oil. These ships are often in poor shape, with substandard equipment and untrained crews. Finnish authorities even boarded the ship by helicopter and detained several crew members for questioning. Despite these measures, they concluded that the damage was likely accidental.
Chinese Device Patent Fuels Fears of Undersea Cable Sabotage
Lingering Doubts and Skepticism
Although investigations largely point to accidents, not everyone is convinced. Some experts argue that the incidents are too coincidental to be purely accidental. They highlight Russia’s long-standing interest in mapping Western seabed infrastructure and its history of hybrid operations, which often aim to create confusion and deny responsibility.
Critics have also pointed to anomalies in how the ships behaved. For instance, vessels involved in these cases dragged their anchors for unusually long distances—up to 100 miles. Experts say that such behavior would have caused noticeable disruptions on the ship, prompting immediate action from the crew.
Nevertheless, the evidence gathered so far doesn’t provide concrete proof of deliberate sabotage. Investigators maintain that human error and poorly maintained vessels are the most likely explanations for the undersea cable damage.
