Finland’s security and intelligence service, Supo, has described the number of cable incidents in the Baltic Sea as "exceptional" in recent years, even though state actors possess far more effective means of conducting underwater sabotage than simply dragging anchors.
The Baltic Sea region has been on high alert since a series of outages—including disruptions to power cables, telecom links, and gas pipelines—began following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO has since increased its military presence in the area, deploying frigates, aircraft, and naval drones.
On Sunday, Finland released the oil tanker Eagle S, which is suspected of having damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and four data cables late last year. However, Finnish police have not yet reached definitive conclusions in several ongoing investigations.
Juha Martelius, head of Supo, emphasized that while the frequency of these incidents is notable, they are considered a secondary issue compared to the broader strategic threat in the region. “The biggest concern regarding the Baltic Sea is that Russia’s shadow fleet operates there and provides Russia with warfare capabilities by allowing Russia to sell energy to other countries,” he told Reuters. The "shadow fleet" refers to vessels used by Russia to transport oil, arms, and grains in defiance of international sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict.
In a national security review published on Tuesday, Supo noted that dozens of such vessels sail through the Gulf of Finland to Russian oil ports each week. Martelius warned that the abundance of these vessels increases the likelihood of further incidents affecting underwater critical infrastructure. He urged Western countries to take the threat seriously, stressing that state actors have significantly more effective capabilities for causing subsea destruction than by merely dragging anchors.
The ongoing investigations into these cable breaches underscore the persistent security challenges in the Baltic Sea region, as regional tensions and the potential for sabotage continue to grow.
Finland's President emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral relations with the U.S. and ensure its continued engagement in NATO for global security and stability.
A Finnish court sentenced Russian national Yan Petrovsky to life imprisonment for war crimes in eastern Ukraine in 2014. The ruling found his paramilitary unit responsible for the killing of an injured soldier and other offences. Petrovsky denied the charges and intends to appeal.
Finland has announced it will not send troops to Ukraine, despite continuing to support the country with military aid and resources in its fight against Russian aggression.
NATO boosts Baltic Sea presence after suspected sabotage of undersea cables, while Finland and Estonia investigate Russian-linked ship for causing critical infrastructure damage.
UEFA has opened a new office in Istanbul to support the organization of major tournaments, including the 2026 Europa League final, 2027 Conference League final, and EURO 2032. President Ceferin praised Türkiye’s hosting record and ongoing collaboration.
President Donald Trump issued a rare public rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday following a wave of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, calling the strikes “not necessary” and urging an immediate halt.
The heads of intelligence agencies from Central Asian countries held their first-ever meeting in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
China launched its Shenzhou-20 mission on Thursday, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. The successful liftoff marks its 15th crewed flight as Pakistan eyes sending the first foreign astronaut on a future mission.
President Donald Trump called on Vladimir Putin to halt missile strikes on Kyiv, urging a return to peace talks amid rising casualties.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least nine people and injuring 70, including six children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is nearing a defence deal with the EU to reset post-Brexit ties, even as his government courts a U.S. trade deal. Talks will culminate at a May summit, aiming to boost cooperation in defence, energy, and youth mobility.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly rejected claims that the Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
UEFA has opened a new office in Istanbul to support the organization of major tournaments, including the 2026 Europa League final, 2027 Conference League final, and EURO 2032. President Ceferin praised Türkiye’s hosting record and ongoing collaboration.
President Donald Trump issued a rare public rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday following a wave of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, calling the strikes “not necessary” and urging an immediate halt.
China launched its Shenzhou-20 mission on Thursday, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. The successful liftoff marks its 15th crewed flight as Pakistan eyes sending the first foreign astronaut on a future mission.
UEFA has opened a new office in Istanbul to support the organization of major tournaments, including the 2026 Europa League final, 2027 Conference League final, and EURO 2032. President Ceferin praised Türkiye’s hosting record and ongoing collaboration.
President Donald Trump issued a rare public rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday following a wave of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, calling the strikes “not necessary” and urging an immediate halt.
The heads of intelligence agencies from Central Asian countries held their first-ever meeting in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
China launched its Shenzhou-20 mission on Thursday, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. The successful liftoff marks its 15th crewed flight as Pakistan eyes sending the first foreign astronaut on a future mission.
President Donald Trump called on Vladimir Putin to halt missile strikes on Kyiv, urging a return to peace talks amid rising casualties.
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