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Finland Warns Russia May Keep Targeting Baltic Sea Cables in Shadow Campaign
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Russia is likely to continue efforts to disrupt undersea communications networks in the Baltic Sea, according to an assessment by Finnish military intelligence reported by Yle on January 22.
In a threat review, Finland’s intelligence service said Russia retains significant capability to exert broad influence in the region using vessels operating in the Baltic Sea.
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The assessment comes amid a series of incidents involving damage to underwater telecommunications cables and energy infrastructure.
Finnish intelligence officials said Russia appears to be expanding indirect methods of influence designed to be difficult to attribute, allowing actions to remain below the threshold of clear responsibility.
Addressing recent damage to undersea cables and a gas pipeline, Pekka Turunen, head of intelligence at Finland’s General Staff, said no direct link to Russia has yet been established.
“But when we assess this phenomenon as part of broader influence, we believe a state actor is behind it rather than anyone else,” Turunen said.
The most recent incident occurred on New Year’s Eve, when Finnish authorities detained the cargo vessel Fitburg on suspicion of damaging an undersea telecommunications cable.
The operation involved Finnish Border Guard helicopters, including Super Puma aircraft, as well as NH90 helicopters operated by the Finnish Defence Forces.
Maritime security was provided by Border Guard patrol vessels Turva and Uisko, along with a coastal patrol boat.
Police detained 14 crew members aboard the ship, who are citizens of Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. The vessel was traveling from Saint Petersburg to Haifa, carrying a shipment of steel products.
Earlier, Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, assured that Finland is capable of defending itself in the event of military aggression from Russia.
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