The damage to submarine cables in the Baltic Sea that have caused widespread resonance in recent months was caused by accidents, not deliberate sabotage, The Washington Post reported, citing sources in Western intelligence services. Following an investigation, experts concluded that there was no evidence of Russia's involvement in these incidents, and that the damage was the result of errors by the crews of ships sailing near the cable routes.
The incidents that raised suspicions and increased tensions in the region occurred in the autumn of 2024, when several important communication cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea were damaged. Several EU and NATO countries suggested that Russian forces could be behind this, using hybrid warfare tactics to destabilize the region. However, these investigations have refuted this version.
Intelligence sources stress that the incidents are related to technical errors and failure to observe safety measures by the crews of commercial and fishing vessels. According to them, the damage may have been caused by anchors or other equipment accidentally touching underwater cables. As a result of the disruptions in the infrastructure, there were interruptions in the internet connection and power supply in some countries of the Baltic region.
Experts involved in the investigation noted that the submarine cables running through the Baltic Sea are vital infrastructure elements that provide not only communications but also energy supplies. The vulnerability of such facilities remains an acute problem for regional security, especially in the context of growing geopolitical tensions.