Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. Reuters File Photo
Germany expressed its belief on Tuesday that recent damage to communications cables in the Baltic Sea was the result of 'sabotage', following Sweden's report of damage to a second underwater link. The severing of cables between Finland and Germany, as well as from Sweden to Lithuania, was deemed a 'clear sign that something is happening', according to German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who spoke on the sidelines of a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.
'Nobody believes that these cables were accidentally severed,' Pistorius stated. 'We have to say, without knowing exactly who is responsible, that this is a hybrid action. We also have to assume, without definitive knowledge, that it was sabotage,' he added.
On Monday, Finnish operator Cinia reported that a cable connecting Helsinki to the German port of Rostock had been cut for unknown reasons. Subsequently, Germany and Finland initiated an investigation into the damage, highlighting the threat of 'hybrid warfare'. On Tuesday, officials in Stockholm confirmed that another cable connecting Sweden and Lithuania was also 'not functioning'.
'Relevant Swedish authorities are investigating the events,' said Sweden's Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin.
Pistorius emphasized that Germany would need to 'pay particular attention to protecting our infrastructure', especially in light of heightened tensions with Russia following its attack on Ukraine. 'We must protect ourselves better and be able to react quickly, competently, and appropriately to such attacks,' he concluded.
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
