Fri Feb 21 16:30:13 UTC 2025: ## Baltic Sea Cable Sabotage Investigated: Multiple Fiber Optic Links Damaged

**Stockholm/Helsinki** – Swedish and Finnish authorities are jointly investigating suspected sabotage targeting multiple undersea telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea. The investigation follows the discovery of damage to Cinia’s C-Lion1 fiber-optic cable, which connects Helsinki, Finland, to Rostock, Germany. This is the third time the 1,173-kilometer cable has been damaged in recent months, with previous incidents occurring in November and December 2023.

Finnish operator Cinia reported detecting problems with the C-Lion1 cable some time ago, with damage confirmed this week. While data traffic remains unaffected, the incident has prompted a joint investigation by Swedish and Finnish police, as the damage occurred within Sweden’s economic zone.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the incident “must be seen in the context of the serious security situation that exists” in the Baltic Sea region, which has seen increased NATO presence following a series of power cable, telecom, and gas pipeline outages since the start of the war in Ukraine.

While some incidents have been attributed to accidents, including a separate telecom cable cut last month in Swedish waters, several others remain under investigation. No arrests or prosecutions have been made to date.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called for a calm and thorough investigation, reassuring citizens that telecommunications services have not been significantly disrupted.

The European Commission responded to the escalating threat by announcing a near €1 billion budget reallocation to enhance undersea cable surveillance and establish a fleet of emergency repair vessels. Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s executive vice president for security, stressed the importance of deterring and responding to threats against critical infrastructure across the European Union. The incidents highlight growing concerns about the vulnerability of undersea cables to sabotage and the potential impact on European security and stability.

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