Chinese Ship Yi Peng 3 Suspected of Sabotaging Internet Cables in the Baltic Sea

Chinese Ship Yi Peng 3 Suspected of Sabotage in Baltic Sea

Swedish police have completed investigations into two damaged internet cables in the Baltic Sea. The cables were located near Gotland and Öland. The Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 is under suspicion of sabotage. Traffic data indicates the ship was close to the cables when they were damaged.

Investigators are focusing on the ship’s Chinese captain and whether he was influenced by Russian intelligence. Reports suggest that the Yi Peng 3 may have intentionally dropped its anchor, dragging it for over 100 miles, potentially damaging the cables.

The ship, loaded with Russian fertilizer, is cooperating with Danish and Swedish police. The ship’s owners have not commented on the incident.

Authorities believe it is highly unlikely that the captain did not notice the ship slowing down and cutting the cables. Around the time of the incidents, the ship turned off its transponder, which transmits position and course information.

Both damaged cables are within Swedish economic waters and are now being investigated as sabotage. The first cable, connecting Sweden and Lithuania, was damaged on November 17, while the second, linking Finland and Germany, suffered damage on November 18.

Per Engström, a police operations leader, noted that current theories point toward sabotage, although the investigation may evolve. Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, also stated that the damage was likely sabotage.

In October last year, a similar incident occurred where cables and a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia were damaged. A Chinese vessel, NewNew Polar Bear, was suspected in that case as well, indicating a troubling pattern in the region.