Recent events in the Baltic Sea have caused concern as two undersea cables connecting Finland and Germany, as well as Sweden and Lithuania, were cut on November 17-18. The suspect behind these incidents is believed to be the Chinese cargo ship “Yi Peng 3.” The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, has formally requested Beijing’s cooperation to help clarify the reasons behind the cable cuts.
The damage to these vital undersea cables has raised suspicions of intentional sabotage. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that he believes these actions were deliberate acts of vandalism. Investigators have focused their attention on the Chinese cargo ship “Yi Peng 3,” which departed from the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15. Analysis of MarineTraffic data by Reuters indicates that the ship’s coordinates align with the location and time of the cable damage.
Currently, the “Yi Peng 3” is anchored in international waters in the Danish economic zone. On November 26, Kristersson requested the ship to return to Sweden for investigation purposes.
During a press conference in Haparanda town, the Prime Minister stressed Sweden’s desire for the ship to move to Swedish waters, enabling inspections within the scope of the ongoing international investigation. Kristersson emphasized, “Sweden has expressed its wish for the ship to be moved to Swedish waters, and we are in contact with the Chinese authorities.”
Following a regional security meeting in the Baltic Sea area, Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland expressed his full support for the investigation and underscored his confidence in the reliability of Sweden’s inquiry, emphasizing that it aligns with the interests of all Baltic Sea region countries.
Kristersson stated, “This demonstrates our determination to search the ship to uncover the truth.”
Western intelligence officials from multiple countries believe that the Chinese vessel was responsible for cutting the two cables deliberately. However, opinions differ on whether this was an accident or a premeditated act.
In a report by The Wall Street Journal, investigators suspect that the cargo ship “Yi Peng 3” intentionally severed the vital undersea cables. The ship, measuring 225 meters long and 32 meters wide, was transporting Russian fertilizer. Last week, the ship’s anchor was dragged over 100 miles along the Baltic Sea floor.
Investigators are currently focused on determining whether the captain of the Chinese vessel was acting under instructions from Russian intelligence agencies to carry out the sabotage.
It has been established that the ship anchored in Swedish waters around 9 p.m. on November 17, before continuing its journey. Sources revealed to media outlets that shortly after the anchor was dragged, the first cable connecting Sweden and Lithuania was severed. Approximately 111 miles into its voyage the next morning around 3 a.m., the “Yi Peng 3” cut the second cable between Germany and Finland.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday that communication channels with Sweden and other relevant parties were “unimpeded.”
(This article was based on reports from the Associated Press and Reuters)