A Chinese ship “under orders from Russia” has reportedly “sabotaged” two critical internet cables in the Baltic Sea.
Denmark identified the ship as the Yi Peng 3. Last week, it severed the cables when it dragged its anchor along the seabed for over 100 miles.
Following the incident on November 17 and 18, a probe into the severing of the cables along the Kattegat strait between Sweden and Denmark was promptly launched. China’s foreign ministry has denied any responsibility.
The Kremlin has denied claims that Russian intelligence agencies orchestrated the incident. A spokesman said: “These are absurd, unsubstantiated accusations.”
The Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, has now said the Baltic sea is currency a “high risk” zone.
Kristersson told The Guardian: “We are aware that there is a high risk for dangerous activities on the Baltic sea.”
He added: “Now we are careful about not accusing anybody right now of anything. We don’t know that this is sabotage. But we are investigating the matter very carefully.”
The 225-metre-long bulk carrier departed Russia’s Ust-Luga port on November 15. It had a destination of Port Said, in Egypt, and was travelling through the Baltic Sea when the incident occurred.
On Wednesday, the Swedish prosecutor said that crime scene investigations of the area had concluded and officials were now analysing material.
State prosecutor Henrik Söderman said, “The preliminary investigation continues, and a closer collaboration will be initiated within the framework of the joint investigation group within the next period of time.”
