Finnish authorities are investigating the recent damage to a crucial internet cable linking Finland and Sweden, which resulted in widespread internet outages. The damage, which occurred on Monday, affected both private and business customers in southern Finland, with Global Connect, the digital infrastructure firm responsible for the cable, reporting disruptions to 6,000 residential customers and 100 businesses.
Finnish Minister of Transport and Communications, Lulu Ranne, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that authorities are working alongside Global Connect to determine the cause. The damage occurred in two separate locations, with one incident suspected to be linked to excavation works. The second incident remains under investigation, with no conclusions drawn as of yet. Global Connect’s spokesperson, Niklas Ekström, indicated that while one of the damages was likely accidental, further details are yet to be confirmed.
Swedish media reported that Finnish police are considering the possibility of a criminal offense related to the incident, although no official conclusions have been reached. This latest event follows a series of mysterious cable damages in the Baltic Sea, raising concerns about potential sabotage.
In October 2023, two separate undersea cables were damaged: one connecting Germany and Finland, and another linking Sweden and Lithuania. These incidents have prompted investigations by authorities in Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Germany’s defense minister recently labeled the damage to the German cable as an act of “sabotage,” though the perpetrators remain unidentified. The rising number of such incidents has sparked fears of hybrid warfare, particularly involving Russia, which has been accused by several European governments and NATO officials of escalating cyberattacks and infrastructure sabotage since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia has consistently denied involvement in such activities.
The Finnish investigation into the cable damage comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, with European nations increasingly wary of foreign interference in their critical infrastructure. This is further compounded by Sweden’s recent request for formal cooperation from China, after it was reported that a Chinese-flagged vessel had been in the vicinity of the damaged cables in the Baltic Sea. China has denied any involvement in the incidents but has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with Sweden and other concerned parties.
The damage to these vital communication links underscores the vulnerability of critical digital infrastructure in Europe and the growing risks associated with hybrid warfare tactics, which combine cyberattacks, misinformation, and sabotage. As investigations continue, authorities are likely to focus on both the potential criminal nature of the attacks and the broader implications for regional security and stability.
