A Chinese ship is suspected of severing two critical internet cables in the Baltic Sea in an act of sabotage that may have been orchestrated by Russia.
Investigators believe that the Yi Peng 3, a Chinese-registered bulk carrier, deliberately severed the two key cables last week by dragging its anchor along the Baltic seabed for more than 100 miles.
The investigation is now focused on whether the captain of the 225-metre-long bulk carrier was directed to carry out the suspected sabotage by Moscow.
A senior European investigator told the Wall Street Journal: “It’s extremely unlikely that the captain would not have noticed that his ship dropped and dragged its anchor, losing speed for hours and cutting cables on the way.”
The incident has caused concern among Western nations that Russia is engaging in what the White House described as “hybrid warfare”, an accusation that the Kremlin denies.
The latest damage to cables in the Baltic Sea occurred in Swedish waters between Nov 17 and 18, according to the authorities.
The vessel had been making its way from Ust-Luga, in Russia, to Port Said, in Egypt, through the Baltic Sea, when the incident occurred.
Yi Peng 3 anchored under surveillance by a Danish naval patrol vessel in the Kattegat Strait – MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN/SHUTTERSTOCK
Investigators believe that the bulk carrier’s anchor was purposefully dropped on to the seabed, cutting the 730-mile fibre optic cable C-Lion1 – the only such direct connection between central Europe and Finland – at about 9pm local time on Nov 17.
A second cable was then cut between Germany and Finland at about 3am the following day after the carrier travelled about 111 miles, investigators suspect.
Swedish authorities launched an investigation into suspected sabotage before Danish navy ships pursued the Yi Peng 3, forcing it to anchor in the Kattegat Strait.
Since then, the Yi Peng 3 has been surrounded by Nato warships in international waters for a week.
Under international maritime law, the Nato ships cannot force the vessel to sail to one of their ports, so Swedish and German authorities are understood to be negotiating with the vessel’s owner.
They hope to obtain access to the vessel and question its crew over the suspected sabotage.
Western officials do not believe that Beijing was behind the incident but suspect that Russian intelligence agencies orchestrated the incident, which the Kremlin denies.
A Kremlin spokesman said: “These are absurd, unsubstantiated accusations.”
One of the cables that was cut was the 730-mile fibre optic cable C-Lion1 – imaginima/iStockphoto
Tensions have mounted around the Baltic Sea since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Months after the invasion a series of underwater explosions ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that transported Russian gas to Europe.
Western officials initially believed that Russia was behind the blasts but suspicions were later raised that Ukraine may have been involved. It has not yet been fully established who was behind the suspected sabotage.
In October last year, an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was shut down after being damaged by Newnew Polar Bear, a Chinese cargo ship.
Bruno Kahl, the head of Germany’s foreign intelligence, said that an increase in these incidents could lead to Nato invoking the alliance’s Article 5 mutual defence clause.
He said: “The increasing ramp up of the Russian military means a direct military confrontation with Nato becomes one possible option for the Kremlin.”
In response to the latest incident, Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, called for a “policing mission” to be established in the Baltic Sea.
Alongside his counterparts from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway and Sweden, Mr Tusk told a press conference: “We share the assessment of the security situation, including concern for critical infrastructure and strategic resources along the Baltic Sea.”
Mr Tusk said the specialised police force was necessary to “counter threats” in the region.
China’s foreign ministry has denied any responsibility in the matter.
The Telegraph has contacted the owner of the vessel for comment.
